La Porte County, October 22, 2025 — The Salvation Army of Michigan City and La Porte will officially launch the 2025 Christmas Campaign on Monday, November 3, with the traditional Red Kettle Kickoff event from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at McDonald’s, located at 3507 Franklin Street in Michigan City. The public is invited to join in the celebration, which will include a children’s choir, celebrity coffee pourers, live radio coverage from WEFM, check presentations from campaign sponsors, and the introduction of this year’s Christmas Campaign Chair, La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg and his family.

This year The Salvation Army of Michigan City and The Salvation Army of La Porte will be united in a county-wide campaign to raise funds for families need. The goal of this campaign is to raise $250,000 to support programs and services in Michigan City, and $200,000 for programs and services in the balance of La Porte County – for a countywide goal of $450,000.

Funds raised during the Red Kettle Campaign support holiday programs including Christmas toys and food baskets, but they also sustain The Salvation Army’s year-round services. These include food pantries, diaper and hygiene product distribution, youth summer camp, weekend backpack feeding program, spiritual care, and case management.

Major Dale Simmons, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army, emphasized the critical role bell ringers play in making all this possible. “Bell ringing is more than a holiday tradition, it's a lifeline. Every dollar dropped into a Red Kettle represents hope for a family struggling to make ends meet. With rising costs for groceries, housing, and basic needs, this year's campaign is more important than ever,” Simmons said. “We are incredibly grateful to the community for their continued support. Their generosity helps us meet urgent needs not just at Christmas, but all year long.”

Volunteers are urgently needed to ring bells throughout the season. Community members can sign up for a volunteer shift by visiting www.RegisterToRing.com or by calling 219-874-6885 (Michigan City) or 219-326-5342 (La Porte). Paid bell ringers are also being hired. Applications may be submitted in person in La Porte (3240 Monroe Street) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and in Michigan City (1201 S. Franklin Street) on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Financial donations can be made online at donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/michigancity or donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/laporte. Donations can also be mailed to either location: 1201 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 or 3240 Monroe Street, La Porte, IN 46350. All donations stay local to serve families in need in La Porte County.

More information about The Salvation Army is available by visiting www.samichigancity.org or www.salaporte.org