Salvation Army kicks off Annual Red Kettle Campaign

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The campaign helps to fundraise for thousands of people in need within the Fargo Moorhead community.

“The Fargo-Moorhead community has been extremely supportive of the salvation army. They’ve seen our work in the community, they have a lot of respect for us and we for them and they’ve been very good at supporting our ministries over the years and brought us to where we are today. So we are so thankful for the community for its faith in us and supporting our ministries.” Says Major Abe Tamayo of the Salvation Army.

This year’s goal is to raise $950,000 for people in the community in need of help.

The fundraising sparks a little bit of competition throughout the community.

Tamayo also said. “Well each year we have a friendly competition between the fire departments, local law enforcement and our FM area realtors. So they compete inside their own little organization to have their day to ring at there site and they try to see who can raise the most money to benefit the salvation army who in turn of course benefits the community overall but especially for law enforcement and fire department that we’re able to provide emergency, tasks, and services for them.

Honorary Kettle chair for this year’s Red Kettle Campaign Charley Johnson spoke about the honor of having his name on the campaign.

“I’m happy to take part in anything related to the salvation army and I’m certainly happy to lend my name to this campaign they’ve been here 125 years in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Dilworth and the surrounding community and I told the group today I’ve been here for 55 of those years, my whole adult life so I’ve seen the good thing the salvation army does.” Said Johnson.

The Salvation Army is the nation’s largest private provider of social services.

The Red kettle campaign raised nearly $850,000 in 2022 across the Fargo Moorhead community.