The Salvation Army of Rochester Kicks Off 2023 Red Kettle Campaign
Nonprofit Rings In Christmas Season with Support from The Community
November 2, 2023 Rochester, N.Y. — The Salvation Army of Greater Rochester kicks off its annual Red Kettle Campaign this Thursday, November 9 at 10:00am at Mercantile on Main.
This year’s honorary Red Kettle Co-Chair, Natalie Kucko from WROC Channel 8, returns for her second year in the role “The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is synonymous with the holiday season,” said Kucko. “I am excited to support this local effort in hopes of bringing out the best in our Greater Rochester community.”
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is the most visible of its fundraisers and has been present in communities around the globe for more than 150 years. In Rochester, kettles will be stationed at over 45 locations, including all area malls, Walmart stores and Tops locations. Funds collected during the Red Kettle Campaign are used to help feed hungry families, shelter the homeless, and fund essential programs such as youth enrichment and Emergency and Family Services.
Returning this year is The Salvation Army “Battle of the Bells” contest, in which individuals and groups can ring at a kettle and track their collected amount. This competition involves ten different categories including schools, businesses, service organizations and other community groups to collect the most donations before December 24th.
“Battle of the Bells is a win-win for both participants and those we serve.” said Major Rick Starkey, Co-Director of The Salvation Army of Greater Rochester. “The competition gives people an opportunity to help their fellow neighbors while working together in collaborative groups.”
Organizations are encouraged to register for this contest at salarmy.us/rocbattle
To help reach its $375,000 Red Kettle Campaign goal, the Rochester Salvation Army is urgently seeking the help of 1,000 volunteer bell ringers to stand kettle for a 2-hour shift between November 20th and December 23rd. Those interested can sign up for bell ringing shifts at registertoring.org or by calling (585) 987-9500 x2318.
“Bell ringers are the difference between an empty kettle and a full one,” Major Starkey added. “Just a couple hours of ringing brings significant impact to the children and adults we serve.”
Annually, The Rochester Salvation Army provides more than 36,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter. Their Christmas Distribution Program provides free toys and food during the holidays and serves more than 1,200 families each year.
“Red Kettle donations stay local, supporting our own neighbors who look to the Salvation Army for help.” said Major Starkey. “Your donation makes change happen across Monroe County.”
Those unable to get to a Red Kettle this season can donate online at rockettle.com or by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For more information, visit rochesterny.salvationarmy.org
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 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. For more information about our efforts in Greater Rochester, visit RochesterNY.SalvationArmy.org. You may also follow the organization on Facebook.com/TheSalvationArmyRochester and Twitter.com/SalArmyRoc.