Weather taking toll on Christmas kettle campaign

A slow economy and now unseasonably cold weather is taking a toll on the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army's Christmas kettle fundraising effort.

According to Maj. Jeff Strickler, Brainerd Lakes Corps officer, "Our number of volunteers is substantially down for this time of the year, plus cancellations of volunteers due to cold weather and illness are making it very difficult to reach our fundraising goal this year. We are desperate for help."

Now past its halfway point, the kettle campaign has only raised $50,624 or 46 percent of the goal of $110,000.

There are two easy ways to help the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army:

Sign up to bell ring by calling 829-1120. Bell ringing is a fun, free way to raise money for the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army. Shifts can last as little as an hour.

Make a financial donation at a red kettle, by mailing a check to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 385, Brainerd, MN 56401, or online at www.thesalarmy.org. Online gifts can be designated to your specific community.