Salvation Army Christmas campaign kicks off today

This year’s Salvation Army Christmas campaign kicks off today with the goal of raising $200,000 to assist Lynchburg area families with food and toys for the Christmas holiday.

Volunteer bell ringers will attend 23 kettles at area shopping sites in the city and surrounding counties from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, not including Thanksgiving Day and Sundays.

“It is important for residents of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties to be aware of those families right here who face the prospect of a most difficult Christmas season, struggling even to meet their basic necessities,” said Major David Cope of the Lynchburg Salvation Army.

Last year’s kettle drive raised more than $185,000, which assisted 858 families including more than 2,500 individuals.

During today’s kickoff, media personalities and business and civic leaders will compete in the fourth annual Media Mogul Competition to see who can raise the most money in the first hour of the campaign, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The goal for the first hour is to raise $25,000.

Then, the two-person teams will be relieved by volunteers who will man the kettles for the balance of the campaign’s first day.

The annual Red Kettle campaign depends on volunteers to ring the bells. Residents, church groups or civic organizations interested in volunteering may contact Chesley Vohden at The Salvation Army at (434) 845-5934.