It’s time to turn up the volume on the bells ringing for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign here in Warren.

The Salvation Army of Warren County has a $75,000 goal for this year’s campaign – and right now the kettles are awfully light and too many of the bells are silent because there is no one to ring them. And, the need for Salvation Army services isn’t decreasing.

“We (are) seeing an (increase) in people needing services like food, rent, utilities,” Maj. Dorothy Budd explained. “Typically we’d be about one-third of the way there but we aren’t. We are more like one-fifth of the way to goal.”

For more than 100 years, the annual Red Kettle drive has provided meals, shelter, Christmas presents and more for area residents who find themselves in need of help. There are dozens of volunteers working behind the scenes, but right now the local Salvation Army needs more than a few volunteers to step out into the public eye and man a kettle.

“During the week is when we struggle to man kettles,” Dorothy Budd added. “Tops is an indoor location for people who (may be) unable to stand outside. People do not have to stand for a whole day. They can stand for two hours and that would be a major blessing.”

People can also donate to this campaign online – easternusa.salvationarmy.org/western-pennsylvania/warren/ – or by mail, marking the gift “Red Kettle.”

It’s time to pitch in Warren County.