• 45°
The Salvation Army needs people to volunteer to work at the iconic Red Kettles. Kettle donations buy Christmas gifts for in-need children and senior citizens 65 years old minimum. CONTRIBUTED

Ring bells at Red Kettles for young, elderly’s Christmas gifts

MADISON COUNTY – When Christmas morning dawns, most people immediately remember their gifts waiting under their Christmas tree. What if your family could not afford gifts, even for the children?

To prevent this scenario for as many in-need individuals as possible, The Salvation Army conducts its Red Kettle campaign at many locations throughout Madison County and encourages people to donate money in the kettles.

Bell-ringers attract attention to the kettles as shoppers leave stores and offices. The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells at kettles in Madison County for the 2023 Christmas season from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23. The kettles are open on Monday through Saturday.

Along with individuals, teams from businesses, clubs, churches and other organizations often form teams to share times for ringing.

To volunteer as a bell ringer, visit redkettlevolunteer.org/SouthernTerritory, and create an account with your email address and choice of password. Then, specify how many miles that you’re willing to travel and on which days. Select an assignment site that matches your criteria from the list. The Salvation Army will email a confirmation.

“The more volunteers, the more people can be helped in our community. All funds raised in our community stay in our community to support our local programs year-round,” Director of Development for the Huntsville Corps Claudia Bucher said.

In other outreach, The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program helps to provide Christmas gifts annually for hundreds of thousands of children around the country. A child or senior adult completes registration, is confirmed and is accepted as an Angel Tree recipient.

Donors access the recipient’s Christmas wish list to select new clothing or toys. The Salvation Army distributes gifts to the family to place under their family Christmas tree.

In recent weeks, Majors Richard and Virginia Watts transferred to work in the Huntsville Corps. Salvation Army officers are transferred periodically to different locations, typically every three to five years. The Watts family relocated from Columbia, S.C.

Richard and Virginia Watts have served in The Salvation Army for more than 45 years. In Huntsville, the couple is responsible for all church programs and social services, including the shelter and family store.

The Salvation Army’s address is 2114 Oakwood Ave. NW in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-536-5576 or visit salvationarmyalm.org/Huntsville or Facebook/The Salvation Army Huntsville.

Events

Messiah Lutheran’s Ring and Sing Concert set for Dec. 10

Bob Jones High School

Sparkman girls best Bob Jones in OT thriller

Events

Lessons & Carols: Asbury Church to present the annual tradition this Sunday

Digital Version

Check out the December issue of Madison Living Magazine

Madison

HEALS mobile clinic to start visiting students at Madison campuses

Events

Madison Polar Express Christmas Trees lightening and Wassail Fest to kick off city’s holiday events tonight

Harvest

Fort Moore Band to perform ‘Moore for the Holidays’ concert at James Clemens

Harvest

‘Christmas Time with The Beasley Brothers’ concert slated at James Clemens on Dec. 9

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – Nov. 29, 2023

Events

Mayor Finley: Celebrate the Season in the City of Madison

Events

Huntsville Ballet’s 60th Season continues with The Nutcracker performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Madison

Trash Pandas’ Hearn named Clubhouse Manager of the Year

Madison

MVP’s store offers Madison ‘merch’ through Dec. 3

Bob Jones High School

National chess championships open to Madison players

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Partners opens nominations for Madison Visionary Awards

Madison

Interfaith Day of Prayer debuts with people of diverse beliefs

Harvest

Toyota association donates to The Salvation Army’s holiday projects

Madison

Mustangs take down Sylvania 35-28 in Black Friday playoff epic

Harvest

Japan-America Society presents award to Robert Black

Harvest

Ardie Dean’s career in drumming led him to 5 continents and Carnegie Hall

Harvest

Holidays open with Fantasy Playhouse’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

James Clemens High School

Jets dominate Senators in road tilt

Bob Jones High School

Many chess players earn first-ever rating at Queen’s Quest

Bob Jones High School

Take a break: Madison, Triana libraries’ sessions calm holiday stress

x