LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - It’s that time of year when you start to hear the familiar jingle outside of stores.
The Lima Salvation Army officially kicked off its 2025 Red Kettle Campaign Friday. Bell ringers will be stationed outside all Chief and Kewpee locations, with Walmart, Sam’s Club and Hobby Lobby set to join by Nov. 15. The campaign runs through Dec. 24 with a goal of raising $130,000 to support local families in need during the holidays and throughout the year.
“The longer the government stays shut down, the more the need is going to come,” said Paul Downing, operations coordinator for the Lima Salvation Army. “We’re probably going to see some new people that haven’t needed our services come, and we probably won’t see them again, but we’ll see them once this year because of their situations.”
Downing said the campaign helps about 500 families and 1,700 children each Christmas, and that number could rise this year as more families face financial uncertainty. Anyone interested in volunteering to ring the bell can call the Salvation Army at (419) 224-9055, extension 5.
