Ring, ring, ring! Get into the Christmas spirit with The Salvation Army of Augusta Area Command as we officially launch our Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns!

Join us in a daylong celebration filled with fun, fundraising – and a little bit of friendly competition – at the 2016 Red Kettle and Angel Tree Kickoff at Kroger, 2801 Washington Road. Enjoy tunes by The Salvation Army Command Band and watch as the first gift of the season is dropped in the famous Red Kettle at 11 a.m.

Teams will go head-to-head in a competition to fill their Red Kettles for local families in need. Stop by your favorite teams' kettle between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to make a donation. Who will raise the most money and win the coveted Kettle Kickoff trophy? Will it be the Bulldogs again this year?

After a stop at the kettle, the public is invited to learn about the Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas gifts and clothing to local children who might otherwise go without. Augusta Angel Trees will be placed in area stores with more than 700 “angels” up for “adoption.” Community members select an angel from a tree, purchase items for that child based on the information on the tag, and then return the gifts to an Angel Tree drop-off location by December 2, 2016. Angels will available for adoption at Kroger during the event.