The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County announced that all donations to Red Kettles Dec. 19-21 will be doubled up to $5,000 thanks to an anonymous local couple.
The donors are challenging shoppers to dig a little deeper in their pockets to make the most of the match, which will turn $5 donations into $10 and double the impact of any gift dropped into a Red Kettle, according to a provided news release.
"Our bell ringers are ready to make the most of this great opportunity," said Envoy Ken Locke with The Salvation Army. "If we're ringing a little louder than usual, then you'll know why! The matching gift is just what we needed to help us finish out the Red Kettle Campaign strong and fund all our ministries in 2025."
As inflation, job loss and underemployment stretch household budgets to their limits, The Salvation Army is stepping up to offer financial, spiritual and emotional support to local residents. Programs like Angel Tree, Tools for School, Operation Valor and the choice food pantry help people of all ages and situations get the help they need all year long, the release states.
Last year, The Salvation Army provided nearly 58,000 meals to those facing food insecurity and distributed over 93,000 school supplies to area students to help them start off the school year prepared and ready to learn. These and many other ministries are supported by the Red Kettle Campaign each fall. The $5,000 match will help The Salvation Army get closer to its fundraising goal, especially if shoppers respond with their own generosity.
Shoppers looking for a Red Kettle this week will find bell ringers at Walmart and Kroger in Warsaw, Neighborhood Fresh in North Webster (Saturday only) and the Neighborhood Fresh in Syracuse (Saturday only).
There are still many shifts in need of volunteers over the three days of the match. Anyone interested in volunteering to ring a bell through Christmas Eve is invited to visit RegisterToRing.com and find a location, date, and time that works for their schedule.