A Salvation Army sign displays a QR code and offers options to donate digitally. There are also opportunities to be a virtual bell ringer, if you are unable to ring a bell in person. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

From Staff Reports

With only a few days days left of this year’s bell-ringing campaign, The Salvation Army in Tyler finds itself falling significantly behind the red kettle fundraising goal for 2024.

The annual Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser of the year, and the organization is appealing to the community for help.

“We want to say thank you to the community for their incredible support of The Salvation Army and are asking everyone to give as they are able in the last few days of our 2024 Red Kettle Campaign,” Salvation Army Capt. Jeremy S. Walker said. “We are well behind our fundraising goal of $389,000 as we approach the four biggest bell-ringing days of the season between now and Christmas Day.

“We are praying the community will step up in the remaining days of the season to ensure we reach our goal and can continue to provide essential help and care to those who come to us for assistance not only at Christmas, but all year round.”

The Salvation Army bells will continue to ring outside stores through Christmas Eve and the organization is optimistic that with the community’s support, it can still reach its fundraising goal.

“The money raised in our Red Kettle Campaign stays right here in Tyler,” said Walker. “This means that your donation is making it possible for us to serve a meal to a neighbor who is hungry, keep the lights on for a local family struggling to pay the bills and provide a pathway to self-sufficiency for struggling families in our community for months to come.”

Another way to give to The Salvation Army’s is through the virtual kettle. Donations can be made online at southernusa.salvationarmy.org/tyler.

Plus, it’s not too late to volunteer and help The Salvation Army.

“We still need bell ringers to make sure that every kettle is covered over the next few days,” said Walker. “Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Red Kettle Campaign and it’s easier than ever for individuals, families, groups and businesses to sign up.”

Go to www.RegisterToRing.com, select the location, day and time you would like to ring, and you’re all set.

“Please consider giving even just a couple of hours to volunteer between now and Christmas Day,” Walker said.

For more information on the Red Kettle Campaign or any other Salvation Army program, please call 903-592-4361 or visit us at 633 N Broadway Ave.

Bell ringers are at the following locations:

Tyler

Hobby Lobby

Broadway Square Mall

Mardel

Brookshire’s locations

Sam’s Club

Chick-fil-A

FRESH

Super 1 Foods locations

Sweet Gourmet

Walgreens

Walmart locations

Walmart Neighborhood Market locations

Other locations in the Tyler area

Brookshire’s in Whitehouse

Brookshire’s in Bullard

Brookshire’s in Flint

Walmart and Chick-fil-A in Lindale