Local members of the Cass County Unit of the Salvation Army met this week to launch the “Red Kettle Campaign” for 2011.  JJ Kuzma from Salvation Army in Omaha attended the meeting with Duane McFadden, Chairman of the Red Kettle Campaign and Teresa Kanning Co-Chair of the Cass County Salvation Army unit.  As always, funds raised by the local Kettle Campaign stay in Cass County and are used for projects within the County. Last year the Cass County unit raised $5,827.

Among the issues discussed during the meeting held Wednesday, was the upcoming holiday season and setting up bell ringing for the season.  In the last several years, the unit has collected money by ringing bells for the campaign at Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee and Fareway, as well as at the Grand Holiday Lighting. This year’s Grand Lighting ceremony takes place in the Atlantic City Park on November 17th,  at 5:30.  The bells will also be rung during the Lighted Christmas Parade, on December 3rd.   The funds raised by the campaign stay in Cass County.  During the last year, the funds were made available for such programs as the “Shop with a Cop” program, gift cards to local schools, to assist students in meeting various needs, assisting stranded motorists and transient individuals,  fans for distribution by West Central Community Action Center, and, back packs to be distributed by the administrative staff. This year the Cass County Salvation Army unit also partnered with the Parents as Teachers Program to purchase car seats for the program’s use.

New this year, Salvation Army has the ability to accept donations thru the National Salvation Army website.  Anyone wanting to donate to the local unit can go on the website and specify which local unit they want their Red Kettle donation to go to.  More information will be released on this program at a later date.  Volunteers to ring bells are welcome; any person, family, community group or religious organization who would like to sign up for a shift to ring bells for Salvation Army, please contact Duane McFadden at 712-781-2287.