Salvation Army Kettle Campaign - Lake County, SD

01/20/2026

From Marty:

I would like to express my appreciation to all the Madison and surrounding area residents who generously contributed to the local 2025 Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive. Your generosity resulted in raising a record amount of $21,070 in the local kettles. This amount broke the previous record of $16,660 raised in 2023. Thank you to those who secretly dropped in larger bills and checks and to those who dug deep down in their purses and pockets to share a portion of the few dollars and coins that you might have had to help others in our area. As a reminder, the money raised from the local kettle drive stays in Lake County and the surrounding area.

Thank you for allowing me and the other bell ringers to wish you a Merry Christmas and to converse with you as we rang the bell. Thank you to Sunshine and Lewis gs for allowing us to ring the bells inside and outside of their businesses.

Also, a big thank you to the following who volunteered their time to help me ring the bells this season and set a record of 268 total hours of bell ringing: Dan Bohl, Jerry Farrell, Dennis Olson, George Meyer, Jerry, and Jane Eilertson, John and Hannah Eilertson, Jim Croswell, Larry Leeds, Gary VanDuyn, Dave Daniel, Casey Materese and kids, Donna Uthe, Kendra Weise and kids, Les Bulick, Tami and Tom Osterberg and grandkids, Amanda Klowann and kids, Signature Realty, Lucas Wall, Danielle Kearin, Heather and Larry Lee, Bobbi Jo Misar and kids, Sue Warns, Channing Overson, John DeSanto and grandkids, St Thomas School, Sarah Curley, Country Swingers 4-H Club, Country Cousins 4-H Club, Lake County Aces 4-H Club, Desperados 4-H Clubs. Have a Happy New Year, and I will see you again during the 2026 Red Kettle Drive.

Marty Warns
Madison Area Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Director

12/04/2025

Getting caught up on the last few days.

Monday, December 1st
Lewis
Ringers: Jerry Farrell, Amanda Klawonn and family
Raised $366.19

Sunshine
Ringer-: Marty Warns
Raised $273.66

Total - $639.85

Tuesday, December 2nd
Lewis
Ringers: Signature Reality Group, Lucas Wall, Aubrey Isaakson
Raised $1,223.19 (includes a $500 check)

Sunshine
Ringers: Marty Warns, Dan Bohl
Raised $365.10

Total - $1,588.29

Wednesday, December 3rd
Lewis
Ringer: Jerry Farrell
Raised $249.73

Sunshine
Ringers: Gary VanDuyn, Casey Materese and family
Raised $307.79

Total - $557.52

As always, thank you to our volunteers and generous donors! There are still plenty of slots to sign up to ring.

12/02/2025

We hear a lot of people say they don't carry cash, which is very common these days. If you'd still like to donate, you can follow this link or scan the code on the red kettles at Lewis or Sunshine. Remember, all funds stay in Lake County. Thank you!

Join me in donating to The Salvation Army to help provide food, shelter, and utility assistance to our neighbors in need. Together, we can make a difference. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/campaign/622809/donate

11/30/2025

Today was a slower day. Thank you to Terry, Garrett, and Robin Wicks and the Country Swingers 4-H Club for braving the weather (and the roads) to ring at Lewis. Kelly Hanson and Danielle Kearin had also volunteered, but the decision was made to call it quits early. $272.79 was raised there.

Marty rang at Sunshine (inside because he didn't want to risk falling on the snow and ice). $105.76 was raised.

Total today was $378.55.

We don't typically ring on Sunday, so we'll check back in on Monday. We are still in need of volunteers! We appreciate so many stepping up when Marty was in the hospital last year. We hope to keep that momentum going this year.

11/29/2025

Thank you to all who rang Friday!
At Lewis - Jerry and Jane Martin-Eilertson, Kim Mathieu and family, Megan Marzolf and family, and Jerry Farrell.
At Sunshine - Marty and Sue Warns.

We raised $909.34 at Lewis and $846.61 at Sunshine for a total of $1,755.95. A new record for opening day!😃!

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

Jerry, Jane, Marty, and Sue kicked off the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign today. We had several other volunteers ring, even in the snow. Thank you to those who have already volunteered to ring. We are looking for more. This is a great opportunity for families, organizations, school groups, church groups, workplaces, etc. It’s a wonderful way to give back and spread holiday cheer!

Please sign up below!

Lewis location link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4BAEA723AAFD0-60394874-2025

Sunshine location link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4BAEA723AAFD0-60396430-2025

Help us spread some holiday cheer by volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at the Lewis Location! Your contribution will help support those in need during this festive season. This is a non 4-H activity. Details: Location: Lewis Store (741 S Washington Ave, Madison, SD)Shift Duration:...