Red kettles will be out in Milwaukee County from November 13 to December 24
MILWAUKEE –The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County’s Red Kettle Campaign has already kicked off virtually, but on Friday, Nov. 13 they will host a Red Kettle Kickoff to celebrate the physical red kettles being out in the community.
The annual kickoff will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. outside the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N Water St. Milwaukee, WI. The ceremony, which will be kept small, is closed to the public. Attendees are required to wear masks and socially distance.
This year, all bell ringers at the red kettles will wear masks, wipe down kettles after each donation, wear gloves and will stand six feet away from the kettle.
“Based on the increase in services that we are already providing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are anticipating serving more people this Christmas than ever before by not only helping place gifts under the tree and put food on the table, but also continuing to help pay bills and assist with rent,” said Major Steve Woodard.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraising event for The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County. Nearly $3.7 million was collected in 2019. Donations at the 120 red kettles in Milwaukee County help provide winter coats for kids and adults, toys for Christmas, a warm and safe place for the homeless, summer meals, backpacks and school supplies, and disaster services, to name a few.
There are several ways to help give back throughout the season:
- Sign up to be a bell ringer at RegistertoRing.com
- Sign up to volunteer for any of our holiday programs (Coats for Kids, Toy Shop, Christmas Family Feast) at SAMilwaukee.org
- Mail in a donation: The Salvation Army, 11315 W. Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
- Donate online at SAMilwaukee.org or text MKE to 24365
- Create your own red kettle fundraising page at FundraiseforGood.org
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (Human NeedsIndex.org). Locally, 87 cents of every dollar raised is used to support programs and services in Milwaukee County.