WISCONSIN— The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Campaign on Friday in both Madison and Milwaukee. 

Taylor Pasell, special events and marketing manager with Salvation Army of Dane County, said volunteer bell ringers are instrumental to the whole campaign. 

Last year, the Salvation Army of Dane County raised more than $500,000 during its Red Kettle Campaign, which runs until December 24. 

This year, Pasell said the organization hopes to again raise a similar ammount of money. 

She said all the money collected in the kettles will go toward services like a family and women's shelter, housing programs, emergency distaster relief and low-cost, local children's programming. 

In Milwaukee, the Mayor joined Maj. Steve Wood, the coordinator of the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County, for a formal kick off of the Red Kettle Campaign outside of the Public Market. 

In 2020, Milwaukee County's Red Kettle campaign netted $4.8 million in donations, which went toward homeless services, warm coats and toys for children and food donations to area pantries. 

People who would like to volunteer can visit RingBellsDane.org or call 608-250-2255. Volunteers wanting to ring bells in the Milwaukee area can click here.