From 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Chehalis and Centralia police departments faced off in competitive bell-ringing for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
In the end, the departments’ final fundraising totals differed by only $6.77.
Centralia earned the badge of bragging rights, collecting $1,483.22 outside the Centralia Safeway.
Chehalis, stationed at the Safeway on Market Boulevard, gathered $1,476.45.
The campaign’s final goal is to raise $80,000 by Christmas Eve, which is about $1 for every Lewis County resident. Earnings collected are essential funds for the nonprofit organization as it serves community members experiencing emergencies, homelessness, hunger and poverty.
Another ringing competition will be held on Dec. 9 between the Centralia and Twin Cities Rotary clubs, and, thanks to two anonymous donors, any donation of $20 or more will be matched.
Donations to the Salvation Army can be made at https://centralia.salvationarmy.org/ or red kettles throughout the county, including Sunbird’s Avenue Espresso, Walmart, Safeway, post offices, Fuller's Shop’n Kart and Brenda's Market in Onalaska.
The Salvation Army also needs volunteers for the red kettles, ringing the organization’s distinctive red bells. For more information, go to registertoring.com .
