LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time in 130 years, the Salvation Army is kicking off its annual Red Kettle Campaign early across the country amid COVID-19.

The familiar sound of bell ringing is a staple during the holidays.

“I enjoy doing it and I love helping people and I know this helps people,” explains Derrick Bass, who is a bell ringer for the annual event.

When you see the iconic bright red bucket and hear those bells ring you will likely see Bass. He’s spent the past five years volunteering for the Salvation Army’s annual fundraising event.

“Every year that I’m blessed and able body to do it I’m going to try and ring the bell,” says Bass.

There will be 86 live kettles around the area, however, the campaign will look different with COVID-19 precautions in place to protect the health of bell ringers and shoppers.

“This year I can’t give hugs, but that goes on so that’s different, but so far everything is still just as nice as the other years, adds Bass.

Because of the pandemic, it will be more critical for the nonprofit to reach its goal of $625,000 in even weeks that the chapter has set this year for the campaign.

Captain Jimmy Parrish, Louisville area commander tells Spectrum News 1, "There may be as much as 155% increase in the amount of funds needed this year while we have 50% of a decrease in the amount of people coming into the stores or even the amount of income we receive through the kettle program.”

He says this year’s theme is called "Rescue Christmas." Parrish says right now more than 7,000 children in our area are signed up for the Christmas assistance program.

“In that campaign, it’s just advising you of all the things that are going to be possible this year, how the need is going to go up, but we feel like there’s not going to be as much money available because of people and because of income,” adds Parrish.

He says the money collected from the campaign is used for year-round Salvation Army programs.

“The need is always there. In fact, we run a shelter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in that shelter we have as many as 300 people inside building so we’re always looking at distancing individuals, making sure everyone is safe,” says Parrish.

Organizers say they are also pushing for the community to donate digitally if they are not carrying spare change.

Captain Parrish and volunteers argue every single donation can go a long way.

“If you give $10 to the Salvation Army, all of that money goes to help someone in need. So, you could feed up to a family of three with that $10 with the things that we can give them,” explains Parrish.

“You never know when you might need help and it’s just important so we can just stick together and that’s the way I feel about it,” adds Bass.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign runs until Christmas Eve.