Staff photo / Bob Coupland ... Donny Packner of Struthers, right, donates to the Salvation Army red kettle campaign last weekend outside Bass Pro Shops in Niles, Volunteering to ring the bell is Ethan Lewis, 15, of Niles. The red kettle campaign continues through Dec. 24 in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The Salvation Army has had volunteers out seeking donations from the public for about a month and will continue its Red Kettle campaign through Dec. 24.

This is the time of year that the donations placed in the red kettles help feed families at Christmas and provide toys for children in need. Mandy Hoover, development and public relations manager for Salvation Army Northeast Ohio, said the Salvation Army is seeing an increased need with more families seeking assistance for the holidays. Food and toys are the greatest need for families, she said.

She said anyone who wants to be a volunteer bell ringer can register online at the Salvation Army Mahoning County Area Services and click on “Register to Ring.” She said an individual simply needs to enter a ZIP code to see what locations are available for volunteering. Hoover said people also can register the time they would like to volunteer.

“Anyone who volunteers for two hours will help provide 104 meals. The volunteers are greatly appreciated for what they are doing to help,” Hoover said.

She said the goal for Mahoning County red kettle campaign this year is $200,000. Hoover said in 2024 the goal was $210,000 with, $209,000 raised.

Hoover said there are more Angel Tree tags on trees and more people needing food from the food pantry.

“Every year since the pandemic there has been an increased need for help. The need has never been greater. There has already been an increase from families needing food and now we continue to see an increase for items for the Christmas holiday,” Hoover said.

Ramona Ramsey, kettle coordinator for the Salvation Army of Trumbull County, said the red kettle campaign began Nov. 12 and will continue through a half day on Dec. 24. There are no collections on Sundays.

She said this year many groups are volunteering, including churches, Masonic lodges, companies, township trustees, real estate agencies and families.

“We have been very busy. Saturdays are the busiest day and when we need the most volunteers. All someone needs to do is put in time ringing the bell, greeting people and thanking them,” Ramsey said.

She said she has had entire families helping and noted all ages are welcome. Those age 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

She said bell ringers can work different shifts at such locations as entrances to the Eastwood Mall complex. Hobby Lobby, Bass Pro Shop, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Giant Eagle in Howland and Warren.

The goal for Trumbull County is $110,000, with $36,000 raised as of Dec. 1.

Ramsey said anyone wanting to volunteer as a bell ringers can contact the Salvation Army at 330-392-1573 or email ramona.ramsey@use.salvation.army.org

VOLUNTEERS HELPING

This past weekend, members of local Masonic groups spent time collecting donations for the Salvation Army at different locations in the county. One group was outside the Bass Pro Shops in Niles.

Murad Shorrab of Campbell said Old Erie Lodge No. 3 of Warren led the effort with its members as well as members of other Masonic lodges. Also collecting was the Scottish Rite and the Cortland Masonic Lodge outside Sam’s Club and Boscov’s and the Warren Demolay, a youth group sponsored by the masonic lodge, also helping.

“Old Erie Lodge No. 3, which is the oldest masonic lodge in this part of the state founded in 1803, is the primary group of this effort along with other Masonic lodges helping. We organize all of them and have volunteers from each of the groups. This is a real easy way for us to help support the Salvation Army’s mission. We are reliable and enjoy doing this and that is what the Salvation Army needs is people to show up and be dependable. That is what our organization is about,” Shorrab said.

Last year, the Old Erie Masonic organizations collected more locally than any other group in the kettle collections, with $3,000.

“We hope to do that again this year. Part of the reason we bring the kids out is they help to drive donations,” Shorrab said.

He said the Masonic lodges have taken part in the kettle campaign since 2017.

“The public has been very supportive. It gets better year after year,” Shorrab said.

He said the volunteers help cover 10-hour shifts, splitting it up with two-hour coverage for each volunteer.

One site had two adults and six youths working.

“Everyone has a lot of fun. A lot of the young men who help may not know all that the Salvation Army does and then they walk away with a better understanding, knowing the couple of hours they spent here helps provide clothing, food and shelter for others.They get the bug to do community service,” Shorrab said.

Logan Sylvester of Austintown, who serves as the master counselor for Demolay, said he feels it is really important for younger people to step up and help wherever they can.

Shorrab said this is the first year that the Masonic groups collected at more than three locations.