CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A tentpole effort of the yearly mission for the Salvation Army has arrived for another holiday season.  The Red Kettle Campaign, in which community members collect donations on behalf of the less fortunate by ringing bells alongside the eponymous red kettles, has been carried out across the nation since 1891, and the Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help collect during this latest iteration of the drive ahead of the 2026 holidays. 

This year’s campaign, under the motto “Giving for Joy,” begins Nov. 13 and ends on Christmas Eve, 2026. Locations are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

In Charlottesville, the Salvation Army seeks to collect $100,000 to support the organization’s projects to shelter residents of the area in need of it. 

Development Director Aimee Andrews said she looks forward to “Kettle Season” every year. 

“The Red Kettles are the most important recognizable brand the Salvation Army has today,” Andrews told Cville Right Now. “There’s no larger brand awareness than that. I think that is why it’s considered probably our largest fundraiser of the year.”  

Last year’s campaign saw a 22% rise in participation from volunteers, and Charlottesville Major Donald Wilson shared that those who turned out often served during more than one block of time, with some even coming back for multiple days to help raise funds. 

“We were grateful; it showed awareness of the Salvation Army and what it does in the community,” Wilson told Cville Right Now. “We just wish we were able to reach out to more individuals to cover spots and locations last year.” 

The money raised will help fund feeding those in need, as well as seasonal community programs including Angel Tree, which works to ensure children have new clothes and toys on Christmas, as well as other programs that provide gifts for seniors. 

Locally in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, the Salvation Army is engaged in efforts to help support the local unhoused community. Salvation Army volunteers work to help those who use their services find jobs, open checking accounts, and engage with community services as long as they are under the roof of a shelter. 

“Not everyone stays with the program,” Wilson said, “but if they’re going to stay with us, then they’re going to find themselves and living a, a self-sustaining life.” 

The capital campaign to expand the Center for Hope on Ridge Street, adding 15,000 square feet in capacity, is near its conclusion, and the transition to construction has begun. 

Andrews detailed that the next phase of the project is ensuring that the approval for the site plan is completed by Feb. 7.  The organization recently obtained its certificate from the architectural board of review, and is working towards demolition. 

“We’ve been very fortunate, having support from foundations like the state and federal government,” Wilson said of the support the project has received up to this point.  “The vast majority of support has come through individuals and families who recognize the need not only of the community but have a great deal of confidence in the salvation army to continue to provide quality service to benefit those in need.” 

Wilson and Andrews both believe that much of the success the campaign has had is owed to the time of the year in which it is run, as the holiday season brings out the most charitable aspects in people. 

For Wilson, the campaign has allowed itself to be tied to the tradition and festivities of the holiday season, and because of that iconography, many who volunteer are already intimately familiar with the mission. 

“The majority of them know what we’re doing, they know that we feed people, and take of individuals struggling to stay in their homes,” Wilson explained, “so that some of the stress and pressure of the season is relieved, and families can enjoy time together, seeing the kindness and care of the community.” 

Andrews shared that for her, Christmas embodies joy. 

“It’s hard not to feel good.” Andrews said. “And there’s no other way to feel even better about yourself than to know that you’re giving back to a really good cause.” 

Wilson wants people to remember the Salvation Army takes care of people year-round, especially in the most difficult season of the year, January-March. 

“Those months are important for so many folks,” Wilson said, “they see us for a few weeks between November and December 24, but we provide assistance 365.”