The red kettles are in place. The bells are ringing.

To kick off this holiday tradition Salvation Army Majors Richard and Tammy Larson welcomed supporters and campaign partners to a fundraising Red Kettle Kickoff Luncheon, “The Sound of Hope,” Nov. 19 at Garden of the Gods Club.

Saluting the volunteers who are ringing those bells, they noted, “one two-hour ringing shift raises money for 11 nights of shelter at the R.J. Montgomery Center Family Shelter, 70 warm meals or two weeks of structured After School Program for a child.”

Last year the local Salvation Army provided 154,000 meals, 65,000 nights of shelter and services to 17,000 individuals and families.

Belying his cheerful, exuberent demeanor, guest speaker Capt. Paul Swain from the Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army in Seaside, Calif., shared how the Salvation Army had saved him from his dark past. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, used speed to work longer and harder, addicted to drugs and alcohol, jailed seven times, lost everything, living in a tent next to a river. Had children he’ll never see again. Finally a judge told him to go into the Salvation Army restorative program or head back to jail. Today he’s the clean, married Corps officer helping people like he had once been and “there are many more people out there who need help,” he said.

Thus, red kettles and bells.

Salvation Army Board members helping kick off the drive were Dr. James Strang, Jr., Larry Gilliam, Randy Gardiner, Terrance McWilliams, Steve Blazer, Kelly Means, Ray Nunn, Rick Couch, Patricia Collins, Karen Hunt, Craig Whitney, Chuck Larson, Shawn Clift, Matt Vineyard, John Cantu, Ben Howland, Scott Turner, Dawn Watson, Greg Mitchell, Ken Montera, Ted Wright and Kevin Olson.