Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of The Salvation Army donation kettle outside the Walmart Supercenter on Whitfield Drive in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The Salvation Army is currently running is Christmas in July donation drive.
In another first for Columbus, Christmas and the red Salvation Army kettles have arrived in July.
Volunteers with the Salvation Army have been out and about at Columbus Walmart red kettle locations ringing bells for Christmas in July.
Bell ringers have been at both Walmart locations on Whitfield Drive and Merchant Mile since July 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to Director of Social Services Nancy Johnson. She said they decided to bell ring in July as this is the time of year that the organization needs a boost. Johnson said they have seen some donations, but not as many as hoped.
“Salvation Army gets no federal funds, we are totally run on the money that we get out of the red kettles,” Johnson said. “And so this becomes a time of year where we could just use that boost to get us through until we can start ringing in November.”
Bell ringer Bob Sisson has been volunteering with the Salvation Army for more than 10 years, saying that he supports the organization because it operates on a low budget and uses most of its resources to help others. He is also one of the few volunteer bell ringers for Christmas in July, spending a couple hours outside Walmart on select days seeking donations.
“I think I’ve done pretty good,” Sisson said.
Bell ringers will continue to be out until Thursday. To learn more about the Salvation Army or to volunteer, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/columbusIN.
