THE SALVATION ARMY of Dickinson County, Bread of Life Assistance Center Case Manager Jennifer Witte and Director Tara Blagec get ready for the Red Kettle Campaign, which kicked off this weekend. Bell ringers are needed to help meet fundraising goals. To volunteer, contact new campaign coordinator Rebecca “Becky” Couper at 906-239-0870. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — The holiday season is approaching, and with it comes the familiar sight of red kettles and bell ringers.

The Salvation Army of Dickinson County, Bread of Life Assistance Center kicked off its annual Red Kettle campaign this weekend.

The largest fundraiser of the year will continue through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

The non-profit organization strongly relies on volunteers to help make the campaign a success each year.

Every shift that doesn’t have a bell ringer means the Salvation Army misses out on revenue that could go toward its programming and food pantry, as they do not leave out kettles unmanned, Salvation Army Director Tara Blagec said.

“Those two hours of ringing can provide several meals for a family of four,” Blagec said, stressing how valuable the volunteers are to reaching their goals.

The kettle campaign depicts what assistance they are able to provide for the whole year, not just at Christmas time. “The funds raised allows us to do everything we do here — this is huge for our clients we service,” she said.

The Salvation Army encourages everyone to spare a couple hours and give bell ringing a try.

Volunteers can be any age — it can be a family event, even getting young children involved. It also is a great way for high school students to earn volunteer hours.

As in the past, they strongly urge friends, groups or organizations to make it fun by setting challenges, even singing or playing Christmas music.

“We love good challenges — like service groups, local sports teams or even public safety departments making it a competition,” Case Manager Jennifer Witte said. “Any business or organization can also throw out a challenge, make it fun.”

Organizations, groups and businesses can schedule to take an entire day or even an entire weekend at one location.

“We hope local businesses owners will allow their employees to take a couple of hours off their work day to do community service and give back by ringing for the holiday,” Witte said.

Volunteers are asked to do a two-hour shift between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at one of their kettle locations: both entrances of Walmart, Super One Foods, Tadych’s Family Market, Pat’s Foods in Norway and Northwoods IGA in Niagara, Wis. They also have a kettle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kingsford Ace Hardware. They noted that these hours may vary at some stores as they experience a lack in staffing.

If a person can only commit to an hour, they will be more than willing to work around any time they are willing to give, Blagec added.

The Salvation Army recently welcomed a new Red Kettle coordinator, Rebecca “Becky” Couper. Anyone wishing to ring can contact Couper at 906-239-0870.

They also provide a cashless way to donate this year with a new “electronic kettle.”

“Donors will be able use their credit/debit card to ‘tap to give,'” Blagec said. “They just have to scan their card over the reader in the amount they wish to donate — $5, $10 or $20 — it’s very easy.”

The local office currently has only one device available, so they will be rotating locations.

Community members who are unable to participate by ringing bells can make a difference by taking part in other ways, such as choosing to adopt a family or children from the Angel Tree Program.

Angel Tree tags will be available on the trees at Walmart or by contacting the office in Kingsford.

“Donors have the options of choosing a child, family or just buy a toy to donate that can be used for the program,” Blagec said. “We asked that children’s gifts be donated unwrapped, as we want the parents to be able to enjoy the wrapping.”

The Salvation Army is accepting applications for its programs. The local offices strives to be good stewards of its resources. “We continue our effort to ensure non-duplication of service,” Blagec said, explaining that individuals who have signed up to received donations elsewhere will not be eligible for this Christmas program.

Funds raised during the campaign are used not just for the holiday assistance programs, but to help those in need with their food pantry, clothing, social service programs and emergency expenses. All donations stay local.

“A successful season is vital to ensure our agency is able to carry out our mission each year — boots on the ground year-round,” Blagec said. “With community support, we can continue to assist those in crisis.”

“We are very grateful for the support we receive each year,” Witte added. “Our community has always come through.”

Those wishing to make a monetary donation can mail checks to The Salvation Army, 145 Roseland St., Kingsford MI 49802 or P.O. Box 218, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Those who have questions regarding any program or who want to adopt a family for Christmas can contact the Salvation Army office at 906-779-5717.