Silver Bells Are Ringing Again in Clayton and Fayette Counties

2010 marks the 119th season The Salvation Army Red Kettles will sound their joyous bells outside of retailers around the world. Monday, November 22, thirty-five Salvation Army Clayton and Fayette County Bellringers were among the 25,000 throughout the world extending holiday greetings, and raising much-needed funds to provide help and hope to those less fortunate.

“We make no apologies for the growing number of Salvation Army Red Kettles you’ve undoubtedly noticed in your community over the years,” explains Captain Jose Marques, The Salvation Army Jonesboro Corps Officer.

“It is not business as usual anymore at The Salvation Army, or for any other nonprofit or business for that matter. The demand is evident from our phones being flooded with thousands of hurting callers, to our shelter beds filled to capacity with homeless mothers, fathers and children every evening. Every red kettle you encounter, every ‘silver bell’ a kettle worker rings, is there to serve as a call to action not to forget that people are hurting, right here in this community, even as we celebrate this joyous season.”

The Salvation Army 2010 Red Kettle Campaign will run through December 24, in hopes of generating $200,000 in kettles throughout its thirteen-county area.

“Yes, it’s an ambitious goal during these tough times,” recognizes Marques who says the campaign raised $191,000 in Clayton and Fayette Counties last kettle season, and that the organization’s Metro Atlanta Area command provided over $2.3 million in holiday assistance through toys, clothing, meals, and other items last Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“But it’s not an un-attainable one when we know that in times of great hardship metro Atlanta residents have always stepped up to help us help their hurting friends and neighbors.”

Friends and neighbors, Marques says, who may have been among the 20,000 men, women and children who were first-time recipients of Salvation Army services last year. Or, who may have recently lost a home or a job, or who be among those who have been fortunate enough to retain or regain employment this year and will be among the thousands seeking a helping hand as they work to put the pieces of their lives back together.”

This year, for its part, The Salvation Army has worked to enhance its traditional red kettle program with an Online Red Kettle where donors can make their holiday donation online and helps spread the word to family and friends through Facebook Widgets and emails.

Additionally, nearly 50 Red Kettle Bellringers will be equipped with wireless credit card machines at that will allow holiday shoppers to make their kettle donation with a swipe of a card.

To make a donation, or find out more about The Salvation Army’s Online and Red Kettle program in metro Atlanta visit www.salvationarmyatlanta.org.

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