Salvation Army bells start ringing Saturday on W. 11th

The Salvation Army in Eugene will begin its annual Christmas bell ringing with a "Kettle kick-off" at noon this Saturday, Nov. 21, in front of the grocery entrance at the W. 11th Fred Meyer store.

A tuba ensemble band will play Christmas carols, then bell ringers will stand for the remainder of the afternoon until 6:00 pm. Major C. Joe Murray, Corps Officer and Lane County Coordinator made a decision to begin bell ringing a bit earlier than usual, due to the late Thanksgiving date.

Traditionally, bell ringing begins the day after Thanksgiving. Several stores will begin this Saturday. Others will wait until Nov. 27, and one chain, Albertson's, will begin Dec. 7.

Funds collected in the red kettles will not only assist with Christmas applications but will carry over throughout the winter months. People in the Eugene Springfield area are quite generous about dropping their dollars into the kettles.