Salvation Army’s ‘Red Kettle Campaign’ returns to central Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Several holiday traditions span the U.S. from coast to coast.

One of those is the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, which is back in full swing, including right here in central Kentucky.

If you asked someone to say the first thing that came to mind when they think of the Salvation Army, chances are they'd say the Red Kettle Campaign.

It's a tradition that has been helping Americans during the holidays since 1891.

The campaign is the largest annual fundraiser put on by the Salvation Army every year. This year, the goal for the organization is to raise $150,000 in Lexington-Fayette County.

That money stays local, meaning if you put $10 in a kettle in Lexington, it will go toward helping people in the city who lean on the Salvation Army.

Kendall Anderson, Community Relations & Development Coordinator for the Salvation Army here in central Kentucky, said if you're interested in donating, give what's meaningful to you.

This could be in dollar amounts or in time.

"That is another great way to help us fuel our mission is by helping," Anderson explained. "Come on out and ring; bring your family, your friends, your coworkers. If you're musical, have at it. You know, we welcome all kinds of fun and festivity."

As mentioned, everything that gets donated during the campaign stays in the community you donated it to.

Whether it be in a physical red kettle or online, it directly impacts the people in your community who need help this time of year.

Anderson said they call it Love Beyond Christmas at the Salvation Army because the money raised will go toward events and initiatives the organization hosts year-round.

It's been six months of planning to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, from setting up the 34+ kettle locations across Fayette, Jessamine, and Scott counties, to getting volunteers ready to go and much more.

Anderson describes seeing the fruits of their labor pay off year after year as truly special.

"It is waking up every morning of the holiday season, knowing that through volunteer efforts, through your professional efforts, whatever it may be, that you're getting up and you're making a difference in the life of someone else," Anderson detailed. "You never know where the road may lead you. You never know when you or someone that you love may need assistance. So, I think for me personally, at the conclusion of the kettle campaign, it is a great part of the Christmas season."

Anderson also said the campaign speaks a lot to the Salvation Army's values of community, family, faith, and hope that people will support one another whenever they may need it.

You have until Christmas Eve to donate to this year's Red Kettle Campaign.