The 2012 holiday season is quickly approaching, and the familiar sound of ringing bells is filling the air in St. Joseph County.
The Salvation Army kicked of its Red Kettle campaign today at the University Park Mall in Mishawaka. There were jugglers, live reindeer, ice sculptors, and a brass band that performed for the crowd.
Even R.J. Kroc, the Kroc Center’s mascot performer got folks excited for the start of the organization’s annual fundraising drive. The festivities were a way to encourage people to start donating earlier for the upcoming holidays.
Sarah Jedych, a bell ringer for the Salvation Army says, “In case there's an emergency like bills or your house burns down, then we help you get a room with this money that we're collecting.”
This year bell ringers are out earlier than usual to help meet the goal of $125,000.
