Each holiday season, The Salvation Army engages in the tradition of "staffing the kettles" to promote the plight of the needy in Lancaster County. This practice is critical to The Salvation Army's cause, as the money it raises supports our programs for the rest of the year.

Here are some guidelines for staffing a kettle:

Dress warm enough!

The Salvation Army drivers will pick up your kettle and bell(s) after your time has ended. It is OK to leave kettle if driver does not show up (it happens once in a while :)

If there is an emergency and you must leave the kettle site, please call a driver or the office.

Ring the bell near the flow of foot traffic, but never block the entrance of the store.

If you are ringing with a group, please limit 2 or 3 people per kettle. Any more than that and we get complaints from customers or the stores.

We encourage you to smile, make good eye contact with the public, be polite and greet them with Merry Christmas, God bless you or an appropriate phrase.

Please do not coerce the customers in any way. Maintain a professional appearance and attitude. Please do not eat, drink or smoke while ringing. Remember you are representing a respected organization with a long history of charity.

You may need to take periodic “warm up” breaks. Be conscious about leaving the kettle unattended.

If stores see us as annoying to customers or bad for business, the relationship between the store and The Salvation Army may be in jeopardy.

Please call ahead if you are going to miss your volunteer shift due to illness, weather or other issues.

If you can't reach the office, please call a driver directly:

North driver - 416-3157
Central driver - 326-1169
South driver - 499-1085

Kent's cell - 525-2256
David's cell - 499-1084

If you want to learn more about our organization, please contact us.

The Salvation Army - Lincoln Office
2625 Potter Street
Lincoln, NE 68528
Tel: (402) 474-6263