Red Kettle Campaign is underway

Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ; Salvation Army Majors Phillip and Lynn Irish; and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano are shown at the recent launch of this year’s Red Kettle Campaign on the downtown square in Ocala. [Photo courtesy Salvation Army in Ocala]

The Salvation Army in Ocala held its annual Red Kettle Campaign kick-off on Nov. 26, 2024, on the downtown square. Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ, were on hand to help launch this year’s campaign, along with members of the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band and Salvation Army Majors Phillip and Lynn Irish.

Throughout Marion County this season, the familiar ringing of the bell when donations are placed in the signature red kettles can be heard at Walmart, Publix, Hobby Lobby and Winn-Dixie stores in the area. The donations help people in Marion County.

Funds raised through the kettle drive help support The Salvation Army Center of Hope in Ocala, which assists the unsheltered and those in low-income communities through case management, clothing vouchers, state ID vouchers and a shelter program, according to Rebecca Reynolds, the organization’s community relations/volunteer coordinator.

“Rashad Jones went to stay at The Salvation Army Center of Hope when he was 18 and homeless. He says the Center of Hope is where he began to find himself and get himself to a better place in life. Mayor Marciano never stayed at the Center of Hope but experienced addiction problems and homelessness,” Reynolds stated.

“They are both advocates for supportive services for the unsheltered community. The Center of Hope provides good case management, life skills and feeds residents three meals a day. Together, the case worker and client work towards housing,” she added.

Emergency disaster services is another area in which the kettle drive donations are utilized, Reynolds added.

“Trained volunteers are deployed to hard-hit areas after a disaster. Volunteers are trained in various areas, including emotional and spiritual care. The Salvation Army in Ocala deployed volunteers to areas affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton this year,” Reynolds said.

Volunteers are always needed for the Red Kettle Campaign and can sign up to ring the bell as individuals, with a group or even virtually.

To sign up to help this year, go to registertoring.com
To learn more about the local organization, go to ocala.salvationarmyflorida.org or call (352) 629-2004.

Members of the Kingdom of the Sun Band perform during the Salvation Army of Ocala’s Red Kettle Campaign event on Nov. 26. [Photo courtesy Salvation Army in Ocala]