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The Albert Lea Salvation Army is now in its busiest season of the year during the Christmas kettle season.

To help make the season a success, there are several ways volunteers can help through both bell-ringing and the Angel Tree program.

This year’s overall Christmas goal is $120,000, part of which is raised through the organization’s visible red kettles.

There are four bell-ringing locations this year — new this year, bell-ringers will also be stationed at Big Lots. Two-hour shifts are available, and there is no bell-ringing on Sundays.

People are encouraged to call the Salvation Army to sign up for a spot at 373-5710 or go online to registertoring.org.

The following are the dates and times for bell-ringing at each site:

• Big Lots: Dec. 1-23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; kettle is between doors so dress warm.

• Bomgaars: Nov. 13-Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; kettle is between doors so dress warm.

• Hy-Vee: Nov. 13-Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; kettle is inside by carts.

• Walmart: Nov. 18-Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; kettle is outside so dress warm.

Bell Lumber & Pole has also agreed to give a matching donation up to $37,500 and is looking for organizations, groups and individuals to extend their giving to the Salvation Army. They could be first-time donors, legacy supporters who want to increase their gift amount or former supporters who have fallen off. The company states its goal is to help draw new annual donors to the campaign.

The match is in place through Dec. 31.

Angel Tree

In addition to the kettle campaign, this is also a busy time of year for the Salvation Army as it collects toys from the community and then distributes them to families in need in time for Christmas.

Toys can be purchased online through walmart.com and then shipped directly to the Salvation Army. Otherwise, people can pick up an Angel Tree tag. Trees will be at Walmart, Cargill, Minnesota Corrugated Box, Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, as well as various churches.

This year’s toy distribution will be Dec. 13 and 14 at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Volunteers are needed during the following times to help with the toy shop:

• Dec. 13: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help parents pick out gifts for their children.

• Dec. 14: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help parents pick out gifts for their children; from noon to 5 p.m. will also be the distribution of Christmas food boxes. Volunteers for the food boxes should dress warmly.

• Dec. 15: Starting at 9 a.m. to help box up leftover toys and take back to the Salvation Army Corps and also to help clean the Fairlane Building.