The Maui News

The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to ring bells for its Red Kettle holiday campaign as it prepares to face growing needs following the August wildfires on Maui.

The signature Red Kettles will be placed throughout the islands during November and December to raise funds for The Salvation Army’s services. The annual initiative has been around for more than 130 years, according to the organization.

“Amidst the ongoing challenges our islands have endured initially brought on by the pandemic and compounded by the impact of the recent Maui wildfires on an already weakened economy, we anticipate that the needs of our local communities will be greater than ever this holiday season and well into 2024,” Maj. Troy Trimmer, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, said in a news release Friday. “Our Red Kettle Campaign is a cornerstone of our fundraising efforts, and the more volunteers we can rally, the more kettles we can place throughout Hawaii.”

Trimmer said that funds raised from Red Kettles stay in Hawaii in the specific communities where the monies are collected.

The campaign has seen a consistent influx of returning volunteers, including some who have helped out for nearly 50 years. Some have brought their own touch to volunteering, such as former Advisory Board Member Clarence Kamai, who would play music while collecting donations.

For bell-ringing and other volunteer opportunities, visit Hawaii.SalvationArmy.org and click the “Volunteer” button on the left side of the page.