A main fundraiser for one local organization has wrapped up for the year, and has seen an increase in giving this year.

Each year volunteers for the Salvation Army stand outside local businesses throughout the area and ring bells to raise money. For Clinton, they stand outside the local Wal-Mart, and this year those bell ringers saw an increase in the donations shoppers dropped into their red kettles. Ernie Harvey, a pastor at Clinton's First Christian Church explains the bell ringers stood outside Wal-Mart this year for the first three weekends of December, and things this year again turned out very well.

[audio:bellringers1.mp3]Harvey On This Year's Totals[/audio]

Each year the Salvation Army sees a great amount of generosity from those that frequent the Clinton Wal-Mart and despite the recession, Harvey feels people continue to realize there are people in need.

[audio:bellringers2.mp3]A Word From Harvey[/audio]

100% of the funds raised during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign stays in DeWitt County. Harvey says their goal is to provide help to those who may need financial assistance, but also to get them connected to other organizations that could potentially help them out as well.

[audio:bellringers3.mp3]Harvey On Getting People Help[/audio]

The Red Kettle campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army of DeWitt County. They provide help year round, not just during the Christmas season. The Salvation Army continues to accept donations, to make a donation or find out more about them you can contact Ernie Harvey at 935-3139.