The local Salvation Army hopes Quad Cities residents will give a total of $815,000 through the end of the year. That's the goal it announced at Saturday's Mallards game at the iWireless Center in Moline.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser, making up 60% of its annual budget. And all the money is spent on helping people in Rock Island and Scott counties.
The group also says not as many bell ringers have signed up to work during the six-week campaign. Major Gary Felton says, "If there's no one ringing the bell, people don’t donate.” Volunteers may sign up at RingBells.org.
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The red kettles will make their first appearance of the holiday season this weekend. Saturday night, the Salvation Army will kick-off this year's Red Kettle Campaign, through Christmas, to raise money for its holiday programs, and for its year-round efforts to provide shelter, food, and clothing for needy residents of the Quad Cities.
It's the most important fund-raiser of the year, accounting for 60 per cent of the Salvation Army's annual budget.
The kick-off event will be held at the iWireless Center during the first intermission of the Quad City Mallards game.
Last year's campaign raised $792,000.