The familiar red kettles return to Racine County this week. The Salvation Army of Racine starts its 2026 Red Kettle Campaign on Friday, Nov. 13, and the drive is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year.
Donations will be collected at 14 kettles in Racine, Sturtevant, Caledonia and Mount Pleasant. The money raised pays for services that run all year, including food assistance, housing support, youth programs and emergency help with bills and basic needs for local families.
Capt. Edward Williams III, the corps officer in Racine, said a gift at a kettle does more than fill the bucket, because it brings hope and practical help to neighbors at the point they need it most. He added that money given locally stays in the community, and the organization says 87 cents of each dollar raised in Racine County goes to programs and services there.
Bell ringers are a big part of the campaign, and the Salvation Army is asking residents to sign up on their own or with friends, family, a business, a church or another group. Volunteers register through the organization's bell-ringing website.
People who do not pass a kettle can still give. Donations can be made online through the Racine Virtual Red Kettle, by texting RACINE to 24356, or by mail to The Salvation Army, 1901 Washington Ave., Racine, WI 53403. The announcement did not list the individual kettle locations, collection hours or a fundraising goal. More about the local corps is at saracine.org.
