Nov 7, 2025
-Messenger file photo
Tim Weilenman, a soldier with the Fort Dodge Salvation Army, volunteers as a bell ringer in 2021 as part of the Red Kettle Campaign. The Fort Dodge Salvation Army is in need of more bell ringers this year.
The red kettles of The Salvation Army are a fixture of the holiday season just like nativity scenes and Christmas trees.
And in Fort Dodge, they will make their seasonal debut today.
The annual kettle campaign will start today with a special event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 115 S. 29th St. The Salvation Army’s canteen truck will be on site, and its crew will be offering free hot chocolate plus information on the kettle campaign.
The campaign, which has the theme Give With Joy, will continue through Dec. 24.
The goal is to raise $60,000, according to Capt. Nathan Welch, the local corps officer and pastor.
He said all of that money will remain in Fort Dodge to pay for programs that serve the local community.
The kettle campaign, he added, is The Salvation Army’s biggest fundraiser every year.
“What we make for this season provides for us for the rest of the year,” he said.
The kettles with bellringers will be located at Hy-Vee; Fareway, 1231 First Ave. S.; Hobby Lobby, 301 S. 29th St.; and Walmart, 3036 First Ave. S.
A kettle will be placed at Walgreens, 2503 Fifth Ave. S., after Thanksgiving.
Additionally, there will be smaller kettles placed on counters inside participating businesses.
All of the kettles will have a QR code on them, enabling people to donate digitally.
The Salvation Army is recruiting volunteer bellringers for this campaign. To volunteer, go to registertoring.com. On that web site, people can pick the dates, times and location at which they want to volunteer.
Welch said kids can volunteer to ring bells as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Bell ringers are needed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Welch said they will not be needed on Sundays, which are days of worship, and Mondays, which will be days of rest. No bell ringers will be needed on Thanksgiving.
Last year, the local Salvation Army started a Battle of the Bells, challenging local congregations to find out which one can raise the most money by volunteering to ring bells. Prairie Lakes Church was the winner last year.
How to help
Volunteer to ring bells during The Salvation Army’s kettle campaign by visiting registertoring.com.
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