The local Salvation Army kicks off the annual kettle campaign today with a goal of raising $109,000 by Christmas.

Friday, November 23, 2001

The local Salvation Army kicks off the annual kettle campaign today with a goal of raising $109,000 by Christmas.

Captain Jamie Pennington said the funds gathered this year will help alleviate a year-long strain on the organization’s finances.

&uot;We’ve seen a tremendous need for our services in the last year,&uot; he said. &uot;But I’m confident the community will step up as in past years and contribute.&uot;

Bell ringers will be stationed throughout the holidays at four locations in Albert Lea: Hy-Vee Food Store, Rainbow Foods, ShopKo and Wal-Mart. Pennington is still searching for enough volunteers to ensure the kettles are occupied.

&uot;If we can find people willing to man the kettles for two-hour shifts, that’s ideal. But we’ll take one-hour turns as well,&uot; he said.

The kettles will be stationed at their locations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m through Christmas Eve except Sundays. Ringers are allowed to stand in the doorways of three of the stores, and even Wal-Mart will make for a more comfortable location this year.

&uot;We’ve built a little booth for the ringer with a small propane heater inside to keep them warm,&uot; Pennington said. &uot;It should make the whole experience easier for our volunteers this year.&uot;

Volunteering to ring the bell is a rewarding experience. Visiting with people, seeing their generosity, and giving your time to help a good charity is a great way to spend a few hours celebrating the holiday spirit, Pennington said.

&uot;This is my favorite time of the year. What we do during Christmas – all nice things people do for each other – it sustains me through the rest of the seasons,&uot; he said.

In addition to the kettle campaign, the Salvation Army launched a mail campaign to raise donations from households across Freeborn County. Pennington said the majority of donations over the holidays come through mail respondents.

&uot;Checks through the mail usually make up about 75 percent of our fundraiser,&uot; he said. &uot;We try to reach about 80 percent of the county’s households.&uot;

To volunteer with the Salvation Army during the kettle campaign, call Pennington at 373-5710.