AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Salvation Army is looking for more than 60 volunteers to help ring bells this holiday season as part of the annual Red Kettle campaign.
According to a release, The Salvation Army of Augusta will have red kettles in front of Walmart stores across the area one week earlier this year. The organization has seen a substantial increase in expenses in 2020 and the Red Kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser of the year.
“This is a blessing that we have received from our generous partners such as Wal-Mart, who are allowing us more time to ring the bell this year,” said Maj. Douglas McClure, the Augusta Area Commander. “Our next step is to find the volunteers to ring the bell starting on November 21. Having one more week means needing more people to help; this is an urgent call for volunteers.”
The Salvation Army is following a rigorous sanitation regiment to ensure the safety of all volunteers during the pandemic. Volunteers will simply be in charge of ringing the red bell and bring holiday cheer to those who pass by.
With over 30 locations and two or more shifts per day, The Salvation Army is looking for at least 60 more volunteers. According to the release, volunteers are asked to adopt four or eight hour shifts, which can be staffed by a single person or small groups.
All volunteers receive training, are assigned a shift and The Salvation Army staff supports them every way possible.
“It’s an easy job for the volunteer, just pick a shift, ring the bell, bring Christmas cheer and end up helping people in need,” says McClure. “Even better, they can volunteer knowing they may be helping their neighbors because all the donations stay right here in Augusta.”
This year’s campaign is part of The Salvation Army’s Rescue Christmas campaign, which was launched in September in an attempt to raise more funds ahead of the holiday season. Due to the pandemic, The Salvation Army will be hosting its annual Angel Tree program, in which toys are provided to families in need to celebrate Christmas, will be done virtually this year through a contact-less system. Applications for the program launch online Monday at SAAngeltree.org.
McClure told The Augusta Chronicle in September that they were hoping to raise about $200,000 based on current needs in the community. Last year, The Salvation Army raised $178,000 through the Red Kettle campaign.
This year’s Red Kettle campaign runs from Nov. 21 through Christmas.
For more information about volunteering for the Red Kettle campaign, contact Joe Herzberg at 706-364-4198 or email at [email protected] or reach Chris Parker at 706-434-3185 or email at [email protected]
