The head of the Salvation Army’s worship and service center in Latrobe is planning a bell ringing endurance test. Lt. Ray Knous will pick up the familiar red kettle and bell Tuesday morning and he wont stop his fund raising effort for the next 30 hours.
Knous will start ringing at 9:00 AM at the Latrobe Wal-Mart on Route 30. He hopes to not only raise some spare change but also to promote the mission of The Salvation Army and elevate awareness for The Red Kettle Campaign.
The Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign goal is slightly more than 2.8 million dollars. The Allegheny County goal is set at $785,000, and the goal for Knous’s community is $64,000.
“Right now I’m concerned for [the campaign],” said Knous. “It’s been a very slow week for giving.”
Knous will stand next to the kettle at all times except for 15 minute breaks every 4 hours. He is also soliciting sponsors who will commit to make a donation amount per hour he stands.
The Salvation Army says that nationwide, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers will solicit spare change donations at red kettles this holiday season.
This is the 122nd year of bell ringing for the Salvation Army. Salvation Army Captain Joseph Mcfee in San Francisco started the annual campaign.
