Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing Begins November 13 in Rockford: Donations Stay Local Through December 24
The holiday season in Winnebago County, Illinois, will begin with the sound of bells. The Salvation Army's Rockford Metro Area corps announced that its 2026 red kettle season runs from November 13 through December 24. During that stretch, the iconic kettles will stand at community locations across the county, with bell-ringing shifts available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.
'Ringing The Salvation Army bell and collecting donations is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference in our community,' the organization said in its event announcement. It emphasized the local nature of the campaign: donations placed in a red kettle stay local, directly impacting the lives of neighbors by helping them in times of need — from emergency assistance to support for families across the year.
The corps is recruiting volunteer bell ringers now; individuals, families, businesses and community groups can register through the Salvation Army's 'Ring for Good' platform and choose their preferred days, times and locations. Salvation Army experience nationwide shows that a staffed kettle collects far more than a silent one, which is why the size of the volunteer roster shapes the season's results.
The red kettle tradition dates to 1891 and has become one of the most recognizable sights of the American holiday season. Rockford's bell-ringing season runs in step with Salvation Army corps across the country and wraps up on Christmas Eve. Residents who cannot visit a kettle in person can also give online, with those gifts supporting the same local programs.
(Source: The Salvation Army Rockford Metro Area)
Source: The Salvation Army Rockford Metro Area
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 超市入口旁的救世军红壶（资料图）。图片来自 Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 3.0。 / A Salvation Army red kettle at a supermarket entrance (file photo). Image via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.
