Salvation Army adds new Cedar Rapids bell ringer locations

It might not yet be the season for sleigh bells and silver bells, but the Salvation Army has started ringing their bells.

The annual red kettle fundraising campaign started in Cedar Rapids on Nov. 12.

Salvation Army volunteers are a familiar sight in front of area retail stores like Hy-Vee grocery stores and Walmart Super Centers.

This year, though, they'll be in at least one new spot. Bell ringers will be stationed at the NewBo City Market at the crossroads of 12th Avenue and Third Street SE in the New Bohemia district on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the campaign.

Because the Salvation Army does not traditionally ring bells on Sundays, the kettles will be up, but bell ringers will not be stationed at them.

“NewBo City Market's entire mission revolves around individuals and organizations that assist others in our community,” said Kristie Wetjen, NewBo City Market executive director. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host with the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign's bell ringers in 2013 and look forward to building on that partnership in the years to come.”

The unconventional locations allowed the ringing to start earlier, said Lia Pontarelli, a spokeswoman with the Salvation Army.

“We have 38 kettles. Not all started (Nov. 12),” Pontarelli said. Others will start after Thanksgiving.

Employees in downtown Cedar Rapids will notice another new collection site this week. As of Monday, a red kettle will be set up for three hours a day over the lunch hour.

As part of the campaign this year, a giant red kettle mascot will appear at various kettle locations for photo opportunities.

This year's campaign goal is $750,000. More than $50,000 has already been collected through other means.

Last year, donations to the kettle campaigns in Johnson County and Cedar Rapids were down before Christmas Eve.

By Dec. 25, 2012, when the kettles were put away for the year, donations in Johnson County were $100,000 short of the $350,000 goal. In Cedar Rapids, donations were about $165,000 behind the chapter's $755,000 goal.

Ultimately, though, communities rallied and through credit card and online donations, Cedar Rapids surpassed its goal, collecting more than $758,000. By comparison, the drive raised $730,000 in Cedar Rapids in 2011.

The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to more than 6 million people during the Christmas season. It also funds the Salvation Army's disaster relief efforts. All donations received by the campaign remain in the community in which they are raised.

Companies, teams and individuals also can register online to create a virtual kettle to collect donations toward this year's goal.

To volunteer or for more information about the online kettle campaign, go to

tsacedarrapids.org.