Tree of Lights Campaign Sets Holiday Goal

(November 14, 2024)

The famiiar sound of Salvation Army red kettle volunteers ringing bells is back beginning today,

The Tree of Lights campaign is the Salvtion Army's largest fundraising event each year. The 2024 goal is $3.2 million dollars. Donations made to metro-area kettles are a substantial part of the overall Tree of Lights campaign.

Red kettles are up at more than 100 locations in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro through December 24. Donations can be made via PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, in addition to traditional coin and paper-money donations. Select kettles are equipped with Tap to Give, a system that allows donors with contactless credit cards and mobile wallets to tap them against $5, $10, and $20 tiles on a sign nex

"A a bell ringer myself, I encourage everyone, individually or as a family, group, or company, to invest your time, and your money, in this year's campaign," said Mayor Jean Stothert, a Salvation Army Advisory Board member. "For every shift you volunteer, we raise $100."

Another option for donors is to simply go to omaharedkettle.org to make a fast, easy, secure online donation to the Tree of Lights. All donations stay local and help those in need. Nearly 70,000 individuals turn to the Salvation Army for assistance each year.

Volunteers can sign up to ring bells at registertoring.com and find a conveniently located kettle and time.

The 2024 campaign theme, "Love Beyond," speaks to the fact that donations made this time of year help people in need both during the Christmas season and in the year ahead.