MORGANTOWN — Bells will soon ring outside of area businesses as the Salvation Army kicks off its yearly kettle campaign.
To celebrate the start of kettle season, the Morgantown Salvation Army Corps held a kickoff event Saturday at the Morgantown Mall.
The celebration featured music from the WVU Gospel Choir, WVU Alumni String Quartet and the Salvation Army Brass Band.
The kettles and their accompanying bell-ringers will be out Monday, Lieutenant Sheldon Greeland said.
This year, the Salvation Army hopes to raise a combined $300,000 in Monongalia, Preston and Marion counties, he said. Last year, $230,000 raised.
Money donated stays in the community where it was donated, Greenland said. It’s used to fund the Salvation Army’s social services — including a meals program — and to send kids to summer camp.
When the kettles go out, so will the angel trees. The trees will be placed in spots, such as the mall and banks, said Nicole Greenland, a lieutenant with the Salvation Army and Sheldon’s wife.
She said there are over 1,000 angels for the trees this year. Each angel has a child’s clothing and shoe size and other gift ideas on it.
People can take an angel, purchase gifts for the child and bring the items to the Salvation Army for delivery, Nicole said.
The two started working with the Salvation Army in the ’90s and are now paid employees.
Sheldon said the couple loves people and want to help everyone — regardless of race, creed, religion or sexual orientation.
The two also want to share the gospel with people and end the cycle of poverty, he said.
Nicole said people shouldn’t just pass by kettles when they see them.
“A dollar raised today will feed a family in May,” she said.
