Photos provided by The Salvation Army The annual Red Kettle campaign is set to begin and the Salvation Army is looking for “Ding-a-ling” volunteers to operate posts around the area. The drive is the primary fundraising opportunity for Hancock’s Salvation Army Bread of Life Center

“It’s that time of year again.” This is what we often say to ourselves when we notice something that marks an annual event. It could be piles of pumpkins at a grocery store or skeletons sitting on a neighbor’s porch to signal that Halloween is just around the corner. Or it could be the display of flowers or vegetables, mulch and fertilizer in a department store parking lot to signify that spring is in the air and it is time to plan our gardens. For me, strong and comforting emotions are stimulated when I hear a bell ringing and see a happy volunteer standing near a red kettle as part of The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign. Well, it is that time of year again!

The Kettle campaign is an annual event in our community. Although I have been involved in the campaign for many years, either as a bell ringer or dropping money into the kettles, it was only recently that I realized just how important this tradition is to our community and those in need. Did you know the money raised during the Kettle campaign represents 100% of the program budget for TSA Bread of Life Center in Hancock? What exactly does that mean? With these funds we help those who have emergency needs for food, shelter, and transportation. The more money raised, the more people we can help.

Another important fact about your Kettle donations is that the money stays in our area. That is, “… your donation will go a long way, but your donation will not go far…” When you place your donation in a Kettle you can be assured that the funds will be used to help individuals and families here in the Copper Country.

So how can you help this year? Contribute generously. Challenge yourself to drop some money into the big red kettle each time you pass by one. It could just be a $1 bill or the change in your pocket, but if everyone did that, what a blessing that would be and I know you would feel blessed in doing so. Another great way to participate is volunteering to be a bell ringer. This is easily done by going to ‘RegisterToRing.com’ and selecting a location, a day and a time (2-hour slots but can be longer). There are 10 different locations throughout the area. The campaign begins on Friday, November 17th and runs through Saturday, December 23rd. That translates into 1033 opportunities (or 2,066 hours) for all you ding-a-lings out there.

If you have questions or would like more information call 906-482-3420, Hancock Bread of Life Center, 408 Ravine St.