Many people need a little extra help and many people want to provide that help.

The Salvation Army makes it easy, especially during the holiday season with its annual red kettle fundraising campaign.

The national theme for this year’s campaign is “Rescue Christmas.”

“There is a huge need this year within the community due to the effects of the pandemic,” Kingfisher County Salvation Army Coordinator Shauna Porter said.

Although it may look a little different this year, the red kettle and bell-ringing campaign will go on, she added.

At all local kettle stands, volunteers will be wearing masks, practicing social distancing and sanitizing the kettle periodically to help reduce risks for COVID-19 exposure, Porter said.

Volunteers began ringing the bell at kettle stands in Kingfisher the first weekend in December and plan to be present on weekends at local stores until Christmas.

At one of their first kettle stands of the season, Porter said, many people donated and she is pleased that people are still willing to contribute despite coronavirus concerns.

The familiar red kettles and volunteer attendants can be found in Kingfisher at Walmart and Atwoods on weekends in December. Typical Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 4 to 6 p.m.

“Not every time slot has been filled and we would love to have more volunteers,” Porter added.

All of the money donated in Kingfisher County during the kettle campaign stays in the county, Porter said.

The Salvation Army provides financial resources such as assistance with rent, utilities, lodging and gasoline for those in need within the county throughout the year.

Located at the First United Methodist Church in Kingfisher, Porter said the organization also directs those needing food or clothing to local food banks and thrift stores, providing vouchers if needed.

In order to be eligible for assistance, applicants need to provide verification they are residents of Kingfisher County.

Although there are limits on the amount of resources available to individuals or families each year, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis, Porter said.

“At times we have provided assistance to pregnant mothers to get to their doctor’s appointments more than once during the duration of their pregnancy,” Porter said.

Although Porter has only been serving as the coordinator since May, she said she has been involved since she was a little girl as a volunteer and enjoys her job being able to help people in need.

If people aren’t able to donate at a kettle stand and want to contribute or volunteer, Porter said she can be reached at her office, 1800 S. 13th St., Kingfisher, by phone at 405-375-6179, or mail at Salvation Army, P.O. Box 165, Kingfisher, OK 73750.

For those in need of assistance, Porter said her office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are requiring a mask be worn at the current time.

“Sometimes it is hard for people to ask for help, Porter said, “but if they need help, we want them to come and know that people donate to the Salvation Army for that reason.”