The Salvation Army officially kicked off their red kettle drive for the 2009 holiday season Friday, as the first $4,000 earned in the drive was posted on a board along Main Street outside the Mower County Government Center.

The red kettles have been out at area stores since Nov. 13, and residents can continue to drop their change and donations in the kettles until Dec. 24.

The Salvation Army aims to raise $35,000 with the red kettles and about $100,000 for the overall Christmas drive through mail in and drop off donations for a total of $135,000.

“Our goal hasn’t changed much from previous years; however, our services have increased,” Anderson said.

Last year, the Salvation Army gave out about 250 baskets for Thanksgiving. More than 300 Thanksgiving baskets will be given out on Tuesday.

“There are more people now taking advantage of our programs and services,” Anderson said.

“We’ve just seen it skyrocket,” she added.

Along with the Thanksgiving baskets, the Salvation Army expects to give Christmas baskets and toys to more than 700 families, up from about 600 last year.

“It’s just incredible how the numbers keep going up and up and up,” Anderson said. “We just encourage people to see that and know that. We realize the economy is tight right now, but if you’re able to give, you’ve been blessed, than please drop your money in the buckets or stop by our office and help us out with this Christmas campaign.”

The Salvation Army has about nine red kettles spread throughout Austin with kettles at Shopko, Jim’s Supervalu, K-Mart, Walgreens, Sterling Main Street, and two kettles at both Hy-Vee and Walmart.

The kettles are typically out at area stores from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Often times volunteers work in two-hour shifts, but often times people volunteer longer.

Anderson said the Salvation Army has a great need this year for volunteers to ring the bells by the kettles. People willing to volunteer can call the Salvation Army at 437-4566.

The Austin Shrine Club and Oriental Band helped the Salvation Army start the project by giving a check to the Salvation Army and posting the projects first earning totals.

The club has been involved with the drive since the 1960s. On Dec. 4, the Austin Shrine Club will be out around town ringing bells at the red kettles and at additional local establishments around town from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Similarly, several area pastors from various churches will be ringing bells by the red kettle at Hy-Vee on Black Friday. The main purpose for the event is to get other people interested in the kettle drive.

Hy-Vee is running a feed a family campaign. People can give $10 to the program, and that will buy $30 worth of groceries for a family, which is possible along with food donations.

The Angel Tree project for shoppers to give a needy family Christmas presents starts next week at Oak Park Mall.