Salvation Army kicks off Red Kettle campaign, Angel Tree program

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Beginning Monday, bells will be ringing across the Midlands as the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign gets underway.

According to the nonprofit, the bells made their first appearance in 1905, and have been going strong ever since.

“One hundred and twenty years ago, the Salvation Army’s Red Christmas Kettle bells began ringing in the Midlands of South Carolina,” says Major Mark Craddock, Area Commander of the Salvation Army of the Midlands.

Funds collected at 50 different bell ringing locations contribute to food and utilities assistance, and emergency and transitional shelter for those in need.

The campaign provides essential funding for Midlands families all year long, but becomes even more of a lifeline for parents during the Christmas season.

“So many people, especially at Christmas — these families — they give up their rent money so they can buy toys or do stuff for their kids, and we don’t want them to have to do that. We want to help them with rental assistance or have their children adopted as ‘angels,’ so they don’t have to do that,” says Mary Sesler, Advisory Board Member with the Salvation Army of the Midlands.

This year, around 2,500 families will be adopted through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree — allowing kids and their parents to receive gifts for the holidays.

“Those families just can’t believe that this is for them and they’re gonna have a great Christmas now, or the kids, when they get their bookbags and say ‘Is this all for me?’ And ‘Oh my gosh,’ you know they’re so excited,” says Sesler.

A special check donation of $150,000 from JT’s Automotive Group is providing a large jumpstart for the campaign, with the charity’s goal of raising a total of $350,000 in the coming weeks.

“Those bells ring for one reason — they ring to bring hope,” says Craddock.

If you or your family could use assistance from Salvation Army, you can visit the family store at 1312 North Millwood Avenue in Columbia, or their core office at 3024 Farrow Road in Columbia.

To volunteer, click here.  To adopt an angel with the Angel Tree, click here.