MILWAUKEE — Christmas bells will be ringing on Wednesday at the Milwaukee Public Market in Milwaukee.
It comes with a star-studded line-up.
A host of local celebrities will be the ones ringing the bells to support The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The annual campaign raises money for dozens of programs and services in Milwaukee County and also serves as friendly competition between the different local celebrities.
Among this year’s celebrities are Spectrum News 1 meteorologist Brooke Brighton and morning news anchor Megan Carpenter. It’s the duo’s third year partaking in the event.
As part of the event, Brighton and Carpenter will be outside the public market on Wednesday, Dec. 6, taking donations in person for one hour, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. This year, Brighton will be playing holiday tunes on her saxophone while Carpenter sings along.
If you can’t make it to the in-person event, you can also donate to the pair’s “celebrity kettle” any time by visiting the Salvation Army website and selecting “Brooke Brighton and Megan Carpenter (Spectrum News 1).”
You can also text “Celebrity” to 24365 to bring up the online donation page.
Money raised through the event will go toward supporting programs such as Feed The Kids summer meals program, the Toy Shop program, Coats for Kids, Christmas Family Feast and the Emergency Lodge: Homeless Shelter and more.
Other celebrities participating in this year’s event include the Wisconsin Diamond Dancers, Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages, Madison Moore and Mallory Anderson from WISN 12, Stephanie Carichello from FOX 6, Sydni Eure and Brendon Johnson from TMJ4, and more.
Celebrity bell ringing first started 2013. The Salvation Army added the friendly competition component in 2014. Celebrities who raise the most money receive a traveling trophy and recognition at the Salvation Army’s volunteer luncheon.
Last year, Brighton and Carpenter placed third in the competition. In 2021, they placed in second.
“Let’s change it to first this year,” Brighton said in an Instagram post ahead of the event.
The Milwaukee Public Market Celebrity Bell Ringing Day will kickoff at 11 a.m. and run until 7 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2023.