Salvation Army begins its annual Red Kettle Campaign
Many people may already have heard the unmistakable jingle of a bell while out shopping this holiday season.
That’s because the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign officially started this week, and volunteers are out seeking donations for the organization’s charitable efforts.
Lt. Thomas Perez, the commanding officer and pastor of the Salvation Army’s Washington location, said the red kettles are their main fundraising activity. He hopes they can raise at least $70,000 this year.
“We did it last year; we hope we can do it again this year,” Perez said.
Perez said the Washington branch will have people ringing bells next to red kettles at the Walmart and Sam’s Club at Trinity Point, the Giant Eagle at Strabane Square, the Hobby Lobby on Old Mill Boulevard, the Shop ‘n’ Save on Beau Street, Lone Pine Market on Lone Pine Road, and Interstate Foodland on West Chestnut Street.
According to Perez, when the Salvation Army met its fundraising goal in 2024 it was the first time in about five years.
“We had a huge outpouring of kindness and generosity from people in the community,” Perez said.
He added donations are even more important this year with the delay in funding for rent assistance, utility assistance and SNAP funding due to the shutdown of the federal government.
“It is so important that we get this funding so we’ll be able to assist more people in the community,” Perez said.
Salvation Army programs include relief for those in need of food, shelter and help recovering from natural disasters.
Christine Bell, director of the Uniontown branch of the Salvation Army, said bell ringers will be stationed at the Walmart and Hobby Lobby on Walmart Drive, and the Giant Eagle at Fayette Plaza.
“We had a family that went on Monday morning for three hours and they raised $455,” Bell said. “Their time is extremely valuable and really makes a huge difference.”
According to Bell, the Uniontown branch raised more than $36,800 last year and has a goal of $62,000 this year.
The Salvation Army in Uniontown currently has 269 volunteer hours reserved of the 940 available hours. Anyone interested in becoming a bell ringer for their local Salvation Army can sign up at registertoring.com.
At the Foodland in Washington County this week, Frank O’Bryan began his second year of helping the Red Kettle Campaign. He has volunteered with the Salvation Army for several years as part of its emergency and disaster relief services.
“These funds go to a lot of different programs in the organization. Not just one thing. It doesn’t just provide for certain people. It provides for all that are in need,” O’Bryan said.
Perez gave credit to the volunteers for donating their time to stand in the cold collecting donations for the Salvation Army.
“The fact that they’re willing to do that just exemplifies the fact of God putting us out there to be a blessing for one another. We so appreciate your effort. We appreciate your kindness and we appreciate the genuine heartfelt urge to get out there and help people,” Perez said.
During the holiday season, the Salvation Army also has its Angel Tree program in which people can get a Christmas gift for a child in need. Perez said they will have angel trees at Sam’s Club and Walmart.
In Uniontown, Bell said there will be a tree at Walmart.
The Herald-Standard’s Give-A-Christmas campaign supports Salvation Army units in Fayette County through donations from readers, groups and organizations. All of the money received remains in the county, helping residents in need.
In its 40th year, the campaign kicks off on Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve. Donations are accepted by mail at 818 E. Church St., Uniontown, Pa., 15401, or can be dropped off at the newspaper office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checks should be made payable to Give-A-Christmas.