GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – From the Fox Valley all the way up through Brown County, you are starting to hear bells ringing.
That’s because the Salvation Army of both the Fox Cities and Brown County are starting their annual Red Kettle campaigns in the days and weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday.
In Brown County, the Salvation Army’s theme for 2015 is “Give Til It Helps”.
“To show the different programs that we provide throughout Brown County, in that when you donate to our kettles or Christmas Campaign, it will help those most in need here in our community,” says Salvation Army of Brown County Community Relations Coordinator Kathryn Kroll.
Their fundraising goal this year is $1 million, and will include newer initiatives like Packers Bell Ringing, a 12 Days of Giving restaurant fundraiser and a Bell Ringing Photo Contest.
In the Fox Cities region, Salvation Army Director of Communications and Financial Development Robb Waugus says the need is as strong as ever.
“This year we’re experiencing increases in prices for our emergency food pantry for just purchasing milk, eggs and things like that,” says Waugus. “So it’s really critical that we meet our goal for the red kettles.”
The 2015 campaign goal will be announced at a later date, but last year the Salvation Army raised over $1.2 million. Waugus says it’s expected to be right in that neighborhood.
The Salvation Army – Fox Cities will have close to a dozen match days during the campaign, including the popular Thrivent Financial match day.
Both chapters of the Salvation Army still have plenty of need for volunteers to ring those bells, since a red kettle with a bell ringer brings in much more than an un-manned kettle.
