By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Salvation Army will have its Kettle Kick Off on Monday.
"On Monday at noon in front of the Sleep Shoppe, we'll be doing our kettle kick off," said Paul James with the Salvation Army. "We'll announce our goal and just kind of encourage individuals to sign up to volunteer to ring bells. This year, we're trying to practice social distancing and wearing masks, just to keep everyone safe while we're doing it."
A couple of downtown businesses are competing for donations this year with the kettles coming out at the traditional start of the Christmas season.
"This year, starting Plaid Friday and then we'll have Small Business Saturday and every Saturday until Christmas," said the Toy Depot's Mark Buckley. "Then, I talked to my good friend Kevin Rule and he's also going to do it at the Sleep Shoppe, we're going to have a little competition between us to see who can, hopefully, raise the most money."
If you're nervous about donating in an actual kettle due to COVID-19, there will be a virtual kettle at hutchtoydepot.com where you can donate.