Bellringers needed to help Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle campaign
The Salvation Army of McHenry County, one of the largest social service providers, is in great need of more bell ringers through Christmas Eve.
Unfortunately, the biggest Red Kettle fundraising day, The Firefighter Challenge, had to be cancelled due to extreme caution. The need has become desperate to make up the over $20,000 that was raised in last year's challenge.
Bell ringing is The Salvation Army's biggest source of income. Just a two-hour commitment is all that is asked of volunteers. Bell ringing is an opportunity to give back to McHenry County, get involved in the holiday season and have a lot of fun. Bell ringing locations are available throughout McHenry County.
Funds raised locally, stay local to support youth, adult, and senior programming, as well as emergency services and homeless prevention year-round.
During the holiday season, funding supports a free community Thanksgiving dinner, toys for children in need as well over 300 Christmas ham dinners for families in need. In 2019, The Salvation Army provided over 7,000 gifts to over 800 local children through the Christmas Toyland Shop and Angel Tree program.
Support that came from the bell ringing program raised over $200,000 in the red kettles last year due to the generosity of time from volunteers and donations from the community.
This year the need is greater than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many of our lives.
The Salvation Army of McHenry County is calling out to McHenry County residents to assist. Just a two-hour bell ringing session can help a great deal. Residents can also help by donating to our virtual kettle. Residents just need to go to salarmycl.org/kettle to donate. Donors can select the fire department they would like to donate on behalf of. Just write the name of the department in the comments section of the donor page.
These last days before Christmas are a critical time to help The Salvation Army help the McHenry County residents in need. Precautions like required mask-wearing, disinfecting all bells and badges and keeping bell ringers six feet distance from the kettle have been put into place to keep volunteers and residents safe. Those interested in bell ringing can go to www.registertoring.com to register or call (815) 455-2769 for more information.
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, part of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division, is located in Crystal Lake at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave.