With the holiday season approaching, the Hopkinsville Salvation Army announced the kick-off of this year’s red kettle campaign, it’s Jurassic theme and their goals at Tuesday’s joint Hopkinsville Rotary and Kiwanis Club meeting.
Starting on Friday, bell ringers and red kettles will be stationed outside of Walmart, Kroger and other businesses in the area to raise money toward the Salvation Army’s mission of helping those in need.
Local Salvation Army Lieutenant Lindsey Galabeas says it is their goal to help residents be self sustainable and shared some of the work they were able to do in 2022. Lindsey Galabeas says they were able to help 353 families through Angel Tree program, served over 46,000 meals, bought over 43,000 bags of groceries for those in need and provided 425 over night stays in their shelter.
Lindsey Galabeas says she is even prouder of the work they were able to complete this year, helping individuals find homes, and looks forward to continuing this work next year.
Lindsey Galabeas says much of the work the Salvation Army does is made possible by the funds they collect during their red kettle campaign. As of Tuesday, the organization has volunteers signed up for 598 hours of bell ringing.
However, fellow Lieutenant Roger Galabeas shared that they need more people to sign up in order to reach their goal. Roger Galabeas says they hope to raise $100,000 and have 700 hours of bell ringing at businesses in the area.
The Lieutenants also shared a dinosaur theme for this year’s campaign and motivated bell ringers to dress up and get festive.
Along with the Lieutenants, local Reverend and Salvation Army Board member, Buddy Slaughter talked about the importance of the red kettle campaign and what it provides to those in need. Slaughter says the sound of those bells ringing represents the fight to cure hunger, providing a Christmas to children in need and much more.
Those interested in being a bell ringer for the Hopkinsville Salvation Army can register at registertoring.com.