The Salvation Army bell ringing season will kick off at the Johnson Street Pick 'n Save at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

The kickoff will be sponsored this year by Mid-States Aluminum and The Fire House, a new bar and grill located at 72 N. Main St.

Donors who contribute $10 or more will receive a complimentary Salvation Army Brass Band Christmas CD and a coupon encouraging them to visit the new downtown restaurant. The Fire House will also donate a percentage of its lunch profits to the campaign.

"Sponsorship means that that company will match, dollar for dollar what is donated in a Salvation Army kettle on that day," said Lt. James Curry of the Salvation Army in a press release. "That means for every dollar a donor puts in, it's like putting in $2."

Every Friday, starting Nov. 13, will be a "Match Day," he said.

"We are looking for two additional 'Match Sponsors' for Nov. 20 and Dec. 11 so that all six Friday Match Days will feature a sponsoring business or company," Curry said. "That's what will give the Kettle Campaign the shot in the arm it needs to get us over that $125,000 mark."

To date, five sponsors have committed to support the drive. Besides Mid-States and The Fire House, the sponsors are the Mercury Marine Foundation, Fond du Lac Tire and Horicon Bank.

The Salvation Army bell-ringing season is starting early this year because the need for support to Salvation Army programs has become critical, Curry said.

As the fingers of a weakened economy reach into the lives of Fond du Lac area families, the Salvation Army has taken a hard look at its annual goal, he said.

"Bell Ringers are critical to the success of the Christmas Kettle Campaign," he said. "It will take an individual standing next to every kettle to bring in the donations needed to make the 2009 goal."

To have all shifts covered, 3,888 volunteer bell ringers are needed to stand behind the red shield ringing a bell.

"We just plain need more volunteers to ring those bells," Curry said.

There are 18 kettle locations — both outdoor and indoor.

"Indoor is really 'between the doors' of establishments like Schreiner's, ShopKo, Pic 'n Save, Festival Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Forest Mall entrances," Curry said.

For heartier ringers, outdoor sites such as Walmart, Walgreens, the Kristmas Kringle Shoppe and Ma & Pa's are available.

Individuals who are retired or who work second shift are ideal candidates to ring bells. They are encouraged to give Curry or Denise Shaffer at The Salvation Army a call at 923-8220 or go online to ringbells.org.