Salvation Army kettle campaign

The sounds of the season are ringing all over Southern Colorado. The Salvation Army kettle campaign is going full out through Christmas Eve.

I caught up with veteran bell ringer, Ali Davis. He’s at Colorado Springs newest downtown donation kettle off Pikes Peak near Nevada on private property in front of Springs Orleans restaurant. Ali tells me it’s an honor to help the organization that has helped him. He says, “What makes me smile is being able to help others for a good cause.

The Salvation Army’s Major John Bennett told me, “It’s an amazing thing. Ali represents exactly what we are trying to do. Move someone from a state of addiction to a place of independence and freedom.”

This kettle campaign brings in 15 percent of The Salvation Army’s total budget. This year’s goal is 600 thousand dollars. Major Bennett says so far, donations are down, but is still hoping that will turn around in the weeks to come. Ali Davis is among 60 bell ringers whose focus is to ring in a new year filled with hope for thousands for those who need food, shelter, housing and battling substance abuse problems.