Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Jacqueline Snell got some fresh air on Friday afternoon as she rang the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign near the corner of Liberty Street and Second Avenue in Warren.

With just days to go until Christmas bells will be jingling all the way through the typically silent night in hopes of filling the kettles.

The Warren Salvation Army is hosting the first 24-Hour Kettle Challenge. The event begins on Monday, Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. and runs until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It will take place at Walmart located at 2901 Market St., Warren.

Salvation Army Captain Keith Jache is starting a new tradition to raise funds and awareness of the services provided by the organization. The goal of the challenge is to raise $10,000.

The Salvation Army has been helping to meet the needs of Warren County residents for 128 years, according to Jache. Most of the funding the organization receives comes from donations and campaigns like the annual Red Kettle effort.

Funds raised stay in the local community and help provide services such as holiday assistance, help with living expenses, children’s programs, emergency disaster service and more. In recent years funds have decreased but the need in the community has not, according to Jache.

This year’s campaign is currently about $6,000 behind where it was at this time last year and last year’s campaign did not reach its goal, according to Jache. The total goal for this year is $90,000. If the goal isn’t met, it could result in difficult choices and deep budget cuts, Jache said.

For more information call the Salvation Army at 814-723-8950, follow the Facebook page @Warrenpasalvationarmy or Instagram @WarrenSalvationArmy.

Cash, credit cards and personal checks are accepted. Donations can also be made online at wpa.salvationarmy.org/WesternPennsylvania/warren.