Area shoppers who may be doing some early Christmas gift searching or just their usual grocery run now have the opportunity again to donate to The Salvation Army to benefit local people in need as the winter holidays approach.
The Salvation Army of Jefferson City kicked off its annual Kettle Campaign on Saturday at Capital Mall, with an announced fundraising goal of $330,000 for 2019.
The Salvation Army's Capt. Justin Windell said bell ringers were out Saturday at Hy-Vee, both Gerbes Super Markets and Schulte's Fresh Foods.
As part of a national agreement with Walmart, Windell said that store also gave Saturday as an extra day for bell ringing and toy drive collecting. The Salvation Army won't be at Walmarts otherwise until after Thanksgiving.
Windell said this year's local fundraising goal of $330,000 may be the biggest yet for the local Salvation Army chapter, but it's based upon what was raised last year - about $325,000 - and he was confident the community can reach it.
Volunteers can sign up to bell ring at registertoring.com.
Windell said the website informs people of available shifts and locations based on zip code and also can send reminder texts or emails and sends thank-yous for helping to raise an amount of money on a given day.
The Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign runs Nov. 9-Dec. 24.
While painted kettles will not be part of this year's fundraising, 2019 will once again feature a rematch ring-off between Fechtel Beverage President Bernie Fechtel and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.
This year's ring-off between Fechtel and Kehoe will be at 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Hy-Vee. The two brought in $26,121 last year. Combined with what Fechtel and Kehoe raised in their 2017 ring-off, they've brought in more than $38,000 for the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army on Saturday also recognized other people and organizations that have helped it, especially this year after the May 22 tornado that hit Jefferson City.
The United Way of Central Missouri was given a Red Shield award.
"After May 22, I couldn't think of any other organization that stepped up to the plate any better," said Brian Vogler, who is director of The Salvation Army Shelter of Hope in Jefferson City.
Mary Lou Campbell was also recognized by the Salvation Army as Volunteer of the Year - an award she did not know she was going to receive until she was called up to get it.
Windell said the award is based on "who can we call on in our time of need," and he knows Campbell is someone who gets things done.
She's helped in the kitchen, with youth groups, driving, at advisory board meetings, with applications and at the thrift store.
Campbell said "it was a shock," but exciting to receive the award. She was born into The Salvation Army, has been volunteering since she was 16 years old, moved to Jefferson City in 1972 and has been volunteering here ever since.