GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bell ringers are back outside stores in Greenville, S.C., as the Salvation Army branch serving Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties started its Red Kettle campaign on Friday, Nov. 13. The drive continues through Christmas Eve.
This season the organization is leaning on local businesses in a new way. A company or civic group can pledge to match whatever the kettles collect on a single day, at levels of $5,000, $7,000 or up to $10,000. Spinx signed on as the first matching sponsor, taking opening day.
In return, a sponsor gets its logo on every participating kettle in the Upstate for its day, plus social media posts, posters and a listing in the charity’s end-of-season community ad in January. Sponsors are also asked to send people to ring bells for at least two hours.
Givers who skip cash can scan a QR code printed on the sign above each kettle, or use a virtual kettle online. Businesses and individuals can also put a digital kettle on their own websites or social media pages.
Money raised from October through December pays for the charity’s work in the area all year. Locally that includes a shelter that houses about 90 people each night, the Kroc Center, help with rent and other bills, and outreach to homeless people and families. The group is still looking for volunteer bell ringers to cover kettle spots.
Filed under: Greenville SC Neighborhood News
