Salvation Army kicks off kettle campaign with return of “Battle of the Bells”

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Salvation Army has officially kicked off their kettle campaign with the return of the “Battle of the Bells,” and this year, they’re adding to the fun.

“Starting tomorrow {November 21st}, we’ll start seeing the Salvation Army red kettles throughout Bowling Green. That’ll be at all the local Walmart’s, Sam’s Club, all the areas we know, places we normally see. So we’re just excited, and we have a goal this year of raising more than what we did last year. This year, our goal is to raise $100,000. Last year, we did $80,000. So we’re just trying to get the word out there to meet needs,” Captain Johnny Horton with the Salvation Army says.

The battle was introduced last year, with Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott taking on Warren County Judge Executive Doug Gorman. This year, they’ve decided to add four new participants.

Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton will face Bowling Green Independent School District’s Gary Fields, while Bowling Green Police Chief Michael Delaney will battle Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower.

“I’ve been doing this for over 28 years now, and we’ve been great partners with the Salvation Army. We can provide hope to the most vulnerable people in our population, and we see it on a day to day basis. So it’s a great honor & privilege just to be here… and it’s more of a privilege to beat Sheriff Hightower,” Chief Delaney says.

The spirit of competition even sparked a friendly wager between the superintendents, as Fields laid down the gauntlet:

“So if I win, you’ll wear this {BGISD} pullover for a day… and if you win, I’ll wear a Warren County pullover for a day. Does that sound fair?,” said Fields. Mr. Clayton would accept that challenge.

Last year’s winner shares how important this fundraiser is for the Salvation Army.

“The success stories that we have out of this building are unbelievable, but those only happen if all of us look to our fellow citizens and take care of them… because guess what? Down the road, they are going to return that favor and help the next generation,” Judge Gorman says.

Captain Horton adds that spirit of competition is what makes it all the more fun.

“They’re in competition in their elected roles, but they’re never in competition with each other. So this is a new way that they’re actually… the mayor’s in competition with the Warren County judge executive. So they’re not on the same ballot. So this is a unique competition for them… and so competition always brings out the best… and so we’re just excited that they can use their sphere of influence to raise more money for the Salvation Army,” he says.

Be on the lookout for the kettles at stores all across Warren County, and you can even donate virtually at this link.