The Salvation Army kicked off the Red Kettle Campaign on Nov. 9.
You will see red kettles and hear bells in front of many department and grocery stores around Texas.
The campaign is set to continue through the next six weeks when you donate to your local red kettle the money stays in your community helping your neighbors.
Major Jim Taylor of the salvation army says this campaign serves as more than just a reminder to give back.
"There's a number of reasons why the Salvation army does what they do," Taylor says. "One is because we need to raise money to help people throughout the year, two is that people can come to us and receive services that they might need and the third reason quite honestly is it gives an opportunity for volunteers to come out and have their hands in helping their neighbors meet the needs that they have."
Last year McLennan County raised $131,000, a great accomplishment for the Salvation Army. Major Taylor says its all in the communities effort.
"We are dependent on the community making donations," Taylor says. "What's been proven over the years is that the people of McLennan County in general and Waco in specific they are so giving and so kind to support not just the work of the Salvation Army but other organizations as well so we can help the people in need in our community."
The graduate fraternity Omega Psi Phi were one of the first in the community to give time and ring the bells. James Elliott, a former president, says it's a tradition to help each year.
"We have been ringing the bell for Salvation since 1974," Elliott says. "We're supposed to help all those less fortunate than we are because we know that its a blessing for us to do the things we do and live the way we live."
The gentlemen are outside JC Penny from 10 am to 5 pm. Elliott says it can't stop with them reaping in the reward of giving.
"It just has a good feeling about helping other people," Elliot says. "We want to challenge all other fraternities and sororities to ring the bell for Salvation Army also."
This year the Salvation Army in McLennan County hopes to bring in $165,000.
Copyright 2018 KXXV. All rights reserved,
