Salvation Army reported a great season of kettle bell ringing, despite Hurricane Michael, surpassing what they raised in previous years.

Director, Stacy Warren said everyone who walked by this year was excited to see the bell ringing and gave very generous donations. Warren believes this unity, togetherness and willing spirit to donate came from Hurricane Michael.

“There’s a lot of positive that came out of Michael,” she said.

One of the positives other than donations was the amount of new volunteers the Salvation Army received.

“The manpower that was accumulated was just really exciting,” Warren said.

The Salvation Army had multiple new organizations that were willing to donate their time to ring the bell and they had support of businesses as well. Thirteen businesses set out counter kettles in order to help raise money.

“It was truly a culmination of efforts,” Warren said.

The kettle bell ringing began on Monday, November 19, and lasted 30 days. It is the only fundraiser that the local Salvation Army participates in. The money raised from this fundraiser alone provides for their service store until the next bell ringing.

Warren truly just wants the community to know how grateful the Salvation Army is for their generosity and giving this year. She said this allows the store to provide for others and continue on its mission.