By Patrick Roberts
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – It's a familiar sound around the holidays.
But perhaps this year, the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign bell rings just a little more urgently. Donations have been down.
"The past couple years it's gone down a little bit. We're looking to rebound a little this year," said Capt. Mark Gilliam of the Salvation Army of Northeast Louisiana.
Salvation Army locations nationwide kicked off the annual Red Kettle campaigns at popular stores and other locations on Monday. The local chapter will use the cash to help fund a $900,000 budget.
Gilliam expects the community to come through.
"I don't say I'm surprised anymore, because we have people who have good hearts, and this area in Northeast Louisiana is no different."
The Salvation Army will help more than 300 families and over 900 children this Christmas, but the cash inside the red kettles is used for far more than spreading holiday cheer.
"We wouldn't be able to provide a shelter. We couldn't provide a meal daily if we didn't raise money through this campaign," Gilliam said.
Gilliam also said the cash raised stays local, meaning the community really is coming through for its own.
"Whenever we do this campaign each and every year, it warms my heart to see the generosity of this community. Even though we're going through tough times and we got a lot of people who are struggling, there's even more people who are stepping up and helping out, so we say thank you to our community."
