Salvation Army of Macon County Kicks Off Red Kettle Campaign: $600,000 Goal Under the Theme 'Ring For Good'
The familiar sound of bells is returning to store entrances across Macon County, Illinois. The Salvation Army of Macon County announced its 2026 Christmas campaign on November 4 at a Kiwanis meeting in Decatur: this year's goal is $600,000, under the theme 'Ring For Good.' The red kettle campaign officially began on Friday, November 6.
The first bell-ringing locations are the Hobby Lobby near Hickory Point Mall, Blaine's Farm and Fleet, and four select Walgreens stores. More sites will be added as the season builds; on Black Friday, November 27, bell ringers will also be stationed at three Kroger locations — Brettwood Village, the Highway 36 Airport Plaza and South Shores — along with Kenney's Ace Hardware.
Major Randall Summit, executive director of the Macon County Salvation Army, leads this year's effort, while Major Daniel Faundez, associate corps officer, oversees the red kettle campaign. The organization says the kettles are starting a little earlier this year because the holiday calendar offers fewer available fundraising days, making an early launch necessary to reach the goal.
As in past years, the $600,000 will be raised through several channels: the street kettles themselves, community events, mail appeals and individual contributions. Following the Red Kettle tradition, donations stay in Macon County to support local programs and services that help neighbors in need throughout the year.
Residents who want to volunteer as bell ringers can sign up for shifts and locations at RingForGood.org/Decatur. The Salvation Army notes that a kettle staffed by a volunteer raises far more than an unmanned one — the two-hour shifts rung by community volunteers are what keep the century-old tradition working.
(Source: The Salvation Army of Macon County)
Source: The Salvation Army of Macon County
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Photo: 救世军红壶摇铃募捐（资料图）。图片来自 Wikimedia Commons，公共领域。 / A Salvation Army red kettle bell ringer (file photo). Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
