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As both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day approaches, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is now underway in Erie County.

“It’s our main fundraiser of the year,” said Salvation Army of Erie Envoy Tim Sharp.  “We are hoping to raise $120,000.  So far, we have about $8,000 raised.”

All of the money collected will be used to help fund the Salvation Army’s services and programs for children and adults.

“It doesn’t just go to help support the stuff throughout Christmas,” said Sharp.  “It also supports the programs and services we offer, like our food pantry, our senior’s program, our case management, and our kid’s programs.”

This year, there are a total of 17 drop-off locations.

However, the organization currently has seven bellringers.

“We are in need of volunteers,” said Sharp.  “We are still looking for more.”

According to Sharp, Black Friday is their biggest collection day of the year.

With potential snow in the forecast for a second year in a row, the non-profit is calling on the community for support.

“I think it is important to step up and help the community in a time like this,” said Sharp.  “We have seen an increase in our food assistance, and we have seen an increase in need, in the assistance calls that we are getting, people who have registered through our Angel’s Tree.  We’re up quite a bit compared to last year, so it is important that we step up and meet that need.  It’s our neighbors, it is our family that we are trying to meet.”

The Red Kettle Campaign runs until Christmas Eve.