The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign kicks off Saturday with bell ringers at five locations, Wal-Mart, Food World, the two Troy Piggly Wiggly locations and Piggly Wiggly Brundidge.

The ringing of the Salvation Army bells is, perhaps, the first sound of the season.

Kim May, director of the Pike County Salvation Army, said the monetary donations that are dropped in the Red Kettles are gifts that keep on giving throughout the year.

“The money that is donated during the Red Kettle campaign is used all year long to help those in our community who are in need,” May said. “Those who volunteer as bell ringers are doing a great service for their community.

The Red Kettle bell ringers will be at Wal-Mart Monday through Saturday through Christmas Eve and at Food World and Troy Piggly Wiggly locations on Fridays and Saturdays.

May said there are plenty open slots for most days during the Red Kettle campaign.

“I get nervous around this time every year but the people of Pike County have always come through – as bell ringers and with their generosity,” she said. “Ideally, each bell ringer will take a two-hour shift but we certainly will be proud to accommodate those who want to ring for an hour.

“The Brundidge Rotary Club mans the kettle at Piggly Wiggly in Brundidge so it’s all taken care of. I really appreciate the Rotarians taking the Red Kettle campaign as one of their projects. I appreciate all of our bell ringers. Without them, there would be no Red Kettle campaign.

Each year since May has come on board as director of the Pike County Salvation Army, the Red Kettle donations have increased.

“The first year, the Red Kettle campaign raised $17,000 in assistance for the people of our community,” she said. “The next year, we raised $22,000 and last year, $24,000 even though times were so hard economically.”

Although times are reported to be better this year, May questions that.

“Last year was doubtful because of the economy and I wonder about this year,” she said. “There are a lot of people out of work and people are afraid to let go of their money. Sales are down in the thrift store as are monetary donations and requests are up. But God will provide. We believe that.”

May said her hopes are that hearts will be touched in such a way that, as the campaign gets under way, volunteers will fill the needed slots.

Church groups, civic clubs and organizations, school groups and individuals are invited to be bell ringers for a worthy cause that raises money to help people right here at home.

To volunteer as a bell ringer, call 808-1069 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.