The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center of Kingsford will kick off its largest fundraiser of the year Wednesday, Nov. 12. The event continues through Dec. 24. From left, Dickinson County Salvation Army Director Tara Coss, Kettle coordinator Michelle Floriano-Martens and Dickinson County Salvation Army Case Manager Jennifer Witte prepare for the 2025 campaign. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News)

KINGSFORD — For 134 years, the distinctive sound of Salvation Army bells has been a signal of hope and community spirit at Christmas.

The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center of Kingsford will kick off the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and continue through Dec. 24.

The fundraiser is the organization’s largest of the year, Dickinson County Salvation Army Director Tara Coss said.

They are currently seeking ringers to fill more than a 1,000 shifts.

Red Kettle Coordinator Michelle Floriano-Martens noted they have added Walgreens in Iron Mountain to its list of locations.

Volunteers will be asked to do a two-hour shift at one of the seven locations, Floriano-Martens said.

Ringers are needed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at both entrances of Walmart, Super One Foods, Marketplace Foods, Pat’s Foods in Norway and Northwoods IGA in Niagara, Wis., and Walgreens in Iron Mountain; or between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kingsford Ace Hardware.

Floriano-Martens said they don’t ring on Sundays or Thanksgiving Day.

“We are looking for someone to do something special during kick off on Wednesday, last year we had The Grinch at Walmart,” she added.

This year, the Salvation Army will have a few standing locked stands to help to take in donations during those times the kettles are unattended.

Over the last few months, the agency has experienced an increase in clients with needs in the community.

“We are already seeing the fear in people of losing their SNAP — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — benefits,” Coss said. “We are expecting to see another increase — and we are here to help sustain them.”

Coss explained how crucial it is for the agency to get volunteers to fill each of the slots. “We have 34 days to raise as much as we can — that funding is what predicts what we can provide for our neighbors in need,” she said. “With the increased costs we have been seeing, the two hours of bell ringing to feed a family of four is no longer.”

They encourage area businesses to allow employees to ring during work hours.

“Business owners could also do a kettle match,” Coss said.

They welcome any businesses to host a counter kettle for a day or the season.

Floriano-Martens encourages everyone of all ages to consider ringing a bell this holiday season. “Make it fun, challenge a friend or co-worker,” she added. “School sports teams, groups or organizations can also throw out a challenge.”

This is also a great way for high school students to get in their volunteer hours.

Coss said each bell-ringing spot that is filled represents the love and care that is shown to one another. “It represents, that we are a community who will, ‘Do the Most Good,’ for those who need it most,” she added.

Coss said behind each kettle, there is a story. “A story of a single mom who found warmth and groceries when she thought her children would go cold and hungry. A veteran who received a hot meal, a clean bed, and a chance to start again,” she said. “Or, a child who woke up to presents on Christmas morning because someone cared enough to ring at our kettle so a passerby could drop in change.”

All money raised during the Red Kettle campaign remains within the county it originates.

Anyone who would like to sign up to ring can contact Floriano-Martens at 906-779-6546.

Those who wish to help in other ways this holiday season can assist with the Angel Tree of Dickinson County program.

Individuals can go to Walmart.com, go to the main menu and go to Registry and click on Registry for Good, Angel Tree of Dickinson County. You can select items to purchase for donation. All shipping to the agency is free, Coss noted.

You can also contact Coss at 906-779-5717, ext. 11, to adopt a child or family from the Angel Tree.

The Salvation Army Bread of Life Service Center of Dickinson County’s 2024 Red Kettle campaign raised about $106,000 to help provide community members in need with an array of various services. They include the food pantry, which also offers diapers/wipes, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies; utilities; various housing crisis needs such as rental arrears; security deposit for those transitioning out of homelessness; prescription assistance; cab and bus fare.

In addition to meeting some of the tangible needs, the agency also has Pathway of Hope, a client-driven, holistic strength-based case management initiative that allows families to break the cycles of crisis and vulnerability and move toward increased stability; holiday programming; back-to-school assistance; Coats for the Community, Inmate Restore Hope, which focuses on providing individualized case management services to inmates being released who desire to take action; and other areas of assistance to individuals and families in crisis.

Last year, 222 individuals benefited from Thanksgiving food boxes, while 429 individuals received Christmas food boxes. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program ensures that each person enrolled in the program woke up on Christmas morning with presents under the tree — served 591 individuals.

“We thank God for our donors whose generosity makes our work possible and appreciate all the support from the community,” Coss said.

Anyone 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.

For more information on any of the programs, contact the Salvation Army office at 906-779-5717.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.