KEWAUNEE COUNTY – Volunteers are needed in Kewaunee, Algoma and Luxemburg to ring the bells and man the kettles for the Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Campaign.

The campaign raises funds for Salvation Army programs to help those in need in local communities across the country, providing a range of food and clothing to social services. The organization says it is the longest-running charitable drive in the country, having started in San Francisco in 1891.

Sheriff Matt Joski, the Salvation Army voucher writer for the county and an organizer of the local effort, said in a press release the campaign provides help to residents who are going through difficult times. Funds raised are used to help with everything from rent to utility payments, and Joski noted the funds are distributed throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

Joski also said that experience has shown donations to the kettles are more likely when volunteers are on hand ringing the bells than if the kettles are unattended.

"The success of the Kettle Campaign is dependent on the presence of volunteers at the various sites," he said, "as it is an undeniable fact that giving is more likely when a volunteer is there cheerfully ringing the bells versus a lonely kettle standing in the entrance."

Red Kettle locations in Kewaunee County are:

• Kewaunee: Piggly Wiggly, 931 Marquette Drive; and Tractor Supply Co., 802 Main St. (State 42).
• Luxemburg: Stodola's IGA, 602 Center Drive; and Simonar Shell, 1625 Main St.
• Algoma: Denny's SuperValu, 510 Fifth St.

The county's campaign will run from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. Shifts run two hours.

To ring bells at the any location, visit registertoring.com, click on the tab to sign up as an individual or group ringer and follow instructions. Interested ringers for the Kewaunee and Luxemburg sites also can call Joski at 920-255-1100, and those who want to volunteer in Algoma can call John Ortlieb at 920-487-9987.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Bell ringers needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in Kewaunee County