HOPKINSVILLE, KY – The Christmas season is quickly approaching, and opportunities to support The Salvation Army of Hopkinsville are already underway. From volunteering at a Red Kettle to purchasing gifts for local children or making a financial donation, there are several ways for individuals, families, churches, businesses and groups to make a difference in their community beginning today.

At the top of the list is one of The Salvation Army’s greatest needs each Christmas: volunteer bell ringers.

Volunteer bell-ringing opportunities are available now. Individuals, families, businesses, churches, civic organizations and other groups can sign up for two-hour shifts at SalvationArmyVolunteer.org.

Bell ringing is one of the easiest and most recognizable ways to serve with The Salvation Army at Christmas, but the impact of those two hours extends far beyond the holiday season. Every dollar raised in local Red Kettles stays local, helping support the ministry of The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville throughout the year.

Those donations help make it possible for The Salvation Army to be there for local neighbors when they need a helping hand, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year. For volunteers, bell ringing offers a simple and fun way to give their time while making a difference close to home.

“Bell ringing has become part of Christmas for our family,” said one longtime Salvation Army volunteer. “It’s just two hours, but you get to meet people, wish them a Merry Christmas and know that the money being raised is going right back into helping people here in our community. It’s a simple way to give back, and we look forward to doing it every year.”

Angel Tree Gifts Can Be Purchased Now

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides another opportunity to make Christmas brighter for local children in need.

While in-store Angel Tree adoption begins Nov. 14, the community does not have to wait to begin helping. The local Walmart Angel Tree online registry is live now, allowing donors to purchase gifts for Angels from the convenience of home.

Gifts purchased through the online registry will help The Salvation Army meet needs for “forgotten Angels,” including children whose Angel Tree tags may not be adopted or whose gifts are not returned. This helps The Salvation Army work toward ensuring every child served through the local Angel Tree program has gifts waiting for them at Christmas.

Shop the local Walmart Angel Tree registry: https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/b713e333-c995-4e3c-9976-c223711ebb2d.

Give Through the Virtual Red Kettle

Those who would like to support The Salvation Army financially can also give from anywhere through the local Virtual Red Kettle, which is accepting donations now.

Just like money given at Red Kettles throughout the community, donations to the local Virtual Red Kettle stay local and help support the ministry of The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville throughout the year.

Donate to the local Virtual Red Kettle: https://give.salvationarmykentuckyandtennessee.org/give/517326#!/donation/checkout.

For The Salvation Army, each of these opportunities represents more than a Christmas tradition. The generosity shown during the holiday season helps strengthen its ability to serve local neighbors throughout the year.

“The support we receive from our community at Christmas makes such a difference in our ability to serve throughout the year,” said Major Jason Swain, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Hopkinsville. “Whether someone volunteers for a two-hour bell-ringing shift, purchases gifts for an Angel or makes a donation to our Red Kettle, they are helping us serve people right here in our community. We are incredibly grateful for the way our community continues to stand alongside The Salvation Army and our neighbors in need.”

Three Ways to Help Right Now

For questions about Christmas volunteer opportunities, Angel Tree, Red Kettles or other ways to support The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville, contact: Major Jason Swain, 270-885-9633.

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