Firefighters to compete in Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge Dec. 21

Let the battle begin!

The Salvation Army of McHenry County will be holding the "Firefighter Red Kettle Challenge" on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The fire departments for Crystal Lake, Algonquin/Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Cary, Fox River Grove, Barrington Countryside, Woodstock and McHenry will be ringing bells at their local Jewel Food Stores to raise money for The Salvation Army of McHenry County.

Firefighters will be donating their time with the hopes of both raising money for their communities and to win the second annual Firefighter Challenge. In 2018, the Crystal Lake Fire Department took home the trophy by raising almost $7,000.

Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Fire Department came in second place by raising almost $4,000.

Bell ringing is The Salvation Army's biggest source of income. Funds raised locally, stay local to support youth, adult, and senior programming, as well as social and emergency services and homeless prevention year-round. Support from the bell ringing program raised almost $200,000 in the red kettles last year due to the generosity of time from volunteers and donations from the community. During the holiday season, funding supports a free community Thanksgiving dinner and toys for children in need.

In 2018, The Salvation Army provided over 8,000 gifts to local children through the Christmas Toyland Shop and Angel Tree program.

Residents can participate in this year's Firefighter Red Kettle Challenge by vising your local Jewel Food Store on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and donating money to the firefighter's kettles.

Bell ringers are still needed through Dec. 24. Those interested can go to www.registertoring.com to register or call (815) 455-2769 for more information. Please help if you can.

The Salvation Army has served the communities in McHenry County for more than 27 years of dedicated service. The McHenry County Corps provides meals, clothing, school supplies, toys, financial, and spiritual assistance to individuals and families in need. The McHenry County Corps, 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, is part of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.

Visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mchenry/ or www.facebook.com/tsacrystallake.