Along with music from Wittenberg, Ice Cream from Young’s Dairy, and a banquet hall filled with volunteers and staff, there were elves to represent all the children’s programs at the Salvation Army.
The season is starting a week late, on Black Friday this year, so the Salvation Army hopes to bring in some early funds to help fill the monetary loss from the missing week.
“The kettles don’t go out until Black Friday, a week late, and that’s a $20,000 expected drop from last year. So, the start of the function is all the more vital,” said Ryan Ray, Development Director for the Springfield Salvation Army.
Seven kettles are expected to be out in the Springfield area. Two will be at the area Walmart stores, one will be at each Kroger, and one will be at the Rural King. In addition to the metal kettles, Lee’s Chicken will have paper kettles available for purchase to hang on the restaurant’s walls.
The Salvation Army is asking the public to give generously this year, so they can reach average donation levels and provide at least a minimum level of aid to the community.
“The kettles are just a vehicle to get help and to get what people need. Essentially, we turn that money into resources and divide that out in the community according to need,” Ray said. “So, if it weren’t for the kettles, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do in the community.”
Red Kettle season starts on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving and ends Monday, Dec. 24. Anyone wanting to volunteer can do so up until Christmas Eve, according to Ray.
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