THE SALVATION ARMY Bread of Life Assistance Center of Kingsford will kick off its largest fundraiser Thursday. The event continues through Dec. 24. Kettle coordinator Michelle Floriano-Martens prepares for the 2024 campaign. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center of Kingsford has begun preparation for its largest fundraising effort of the year.

The 2024 Red Kettle Campaign starts Thursday and extends through Dec. 24.

The organization is seeking bellringers to fill its more than 1,000 shifts for the annual fundraiser.

“Last year, we only filled a total of 236 slots,” Dickinson County Salvation Army Director Tara Coss said. “Not having kettles manned means less funds for all the services the Salvation Army provides to the community.”

Volunteers are asked to do a two-hour shift between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at one of their kettle locations: both entrances of Walmart, Super One Foods, Marketplace Foods, Pat’s Foods in Norway and Northwoods IGA in Niagara, Wis.; or between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kingsford Ace Hardware.

“We don’t ring on Sundays,” Kettle coordinator Michelle Floriano-Martens said.

Coss added that the kettle drive has only 34 days to raise funding for not only its holiday programs but services for the entire year.

She stressed even if an individual can only give an hour for the day, it’s better than a kettle not being out.

The Kingsford High School Jazz Band will kick off the season this year at Walmart.

“It’s something that we haven’t done before — it’s a big deal,” Floriano-Martens said.

Floriano-Martens noted with the opening of hunting season Friday, Nov. 15, they hope the donors enjoy the music.

She encourages everyone of all ages to consider ringing a bell this holiday season. Coss added it can be a fun family event.

Area businesses, school sports teams, groups and organizations can challenge each other in bellringing sessions. They remind high school students it’s a great way to get in their volunteer hours as well.

Local employers can also give back by allowing their employees to ring during work shifts.

Businesses could do a match of what their employees or volunteers take in during a certain time or day.

They welcome businesses to host a counter kettle for a day or the season.

“We are up for anything,” Coss said. “We are just grateful to anyone who gives their time or donations.”

After its success last year, the Salvation Army has brought back the basket giveaways.

Anyone who wants to donate a basket or items for the drawing can contact Floriano-Martens.

“It’s a way to give back besides thanking them,” Coss said.

Anyone who would like to sign up as a bellringer can contact Floriano-Martens at 906-200-0390

All money raised during the Red Kettle campaign remains within the local area.

The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center of Dickinson County’s 2023 Red Kettle campaign raised about $82,000 to help community members in need.

Major services include the food pantry, which also offers diapers/wipes, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies; Pathway of Hope, a client-driven, holistic strength-based case management initiative that allows families to break the cycles of crisis and vulnerability and move toward increased stability; utility assistance; various housing crisis issues; holiday programming; back-to-school assistance; Inmate Restore Hope, which focuses on providing individualized case management services to inmates being released who desire to take action; and other areas of assistance to individuals and families in crisis.

Last year, 227 individuals benefited from the Thanksgiving food boxes, while 478 individuals received Christmas food boxes. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program — which ensures that each person enrolled in the program woke up on Christmas morning with presents under the tree — served 588 individuals, 198 adults and 390 children.

“This wouldn’t be possible without the funds raised during the annual kettle campaign,” Coss said. “We appreciate all the support from the community.”

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can mail checks to The Salvation Army, 145 Roseland St., Kingsford MI 49802 or P.O. Box 218, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

The Salvation Army is also in need of a seasonal kettle coordinator in Iron County. Anyone interested can call the office at 906-779-5717. Coss said this is crucial for allowing them to continue to assist struggling community members in Iron County.

Any questions regarding any program or who want to adopt a family for Christmas can contact the Salvation Army office at 906-779-5717.