The sounds of Christmas bells began filling the air last weekend, the first of two planned for the local Salvation Army’s 2025 Red Kettle Campaign.

Volunteer bell ringers were staged at multiple locations in town late Friday evening and much of Saturday. Volunteers will be out again this weekend, beginning as early as 8 am outside the northern entrance of Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza and at Bagel Delight on Church Hill Road. Ringers will be at each location until 1 pm.

A second session of ringing is planned for 4-8 pm, again at the northern entrance of Stop & Shop along with Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit and Yankee Wine & Spirits, both on Queen Street.

Saturday’s schedule has volunteers at Bottle Stop, noon-4 pm; Dunkin, 8 am-noon; Bagel Delight and Newtown General Store, 8 am-1 pm; Stop & Shop (both entrances), 9 am-4 pm; Walgreens, 9 am-4 pm; and Yankee Wine & Spirits, also noon-4 pm.

Donations of all sizes will be gratefully accepted. Donations at the kettles can be done by cash or check (payable to Salvation Army Newtown).

The local unit of the Salvation Army, in partnership with Newtown Social Services Department, addresses emergency needs of Newtown residents. Of the money raised from Newtown Salvation Army Red Kettle collections, 90% stays in Newtown to help pay for food, rent, and utility costs.

Last year the drive was cut short by bad weather, so this year the group hopes to increase donations beyond the $10,000 raised in 2023. All are invited to ring bells and/or donate generously.

For those who would like to mail a donation check, they can be sent to Newtown Salvation Army c/o Newtown Social Services, 28 Trades Lane, Newtown CT 06470.