The ringing you hear isn't in your ears, it's the return of Salvation Army holiday season red kettle bell ringers to the Brainerd lakes area.
The Brainerd Salvation Army's holiday giving season kicks off noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Cub Foods in Baxter.
"Our Christmas campaign is our biggest and most visible fundraiser," Lt. Grant Holloway, Brainerd Salvation Army administrator, said in a release. "When the storm hit this past summer we were able to serve thousands of meals, and we were only able to do it thanks to your donations. The kettles are not only an icon, but are vital to our mission of helping those less fortunate."
At Friday's event, community members can learn more about what the Salvation Army does locally, from serving meals to giving away winter gear to prepare families for Minnesota winters. They can also sign up for a time to bell ring during the holiday season.
Volunteer bell ringers can register for as few as two hours and have until Dec. 24 to pick up a bell and herald the cause for those in need. Online registration for bell ringing is also available by going to www.salvationarmynorth.org and clicking on the volunteer tab.
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The Salvation Army Northern Division serves more than 481,000 people a year through its local centers of operation. Annually it serves 775,700 hot meals and provides 423,000 nights of shelter. More than 40,000 local volunteers help the Salvation Army provide these and other services, from childcare to senior housing.
