CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bells and ears will be ringing in Westmoreland County.  Latrobe Salvation Army Worship and Service Center Commanding Officer, Lt. Ray Knous will be throwing his kettle bell into the ring and attempting a one-man bell ringing marathon.  Knous plans to ring a hand bell at a Salvation Army kettle continuously for as many as 30 hours.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MM81995LOGO )

The event is to begin simultaneously on Tuesday, December 11^th at 9:00 AM at the Latrobe Walmart on Route 30.  This event will help promote the mission of The Salvation Army, elevate awareness for The Red Kettle campaign, and raise donations to help people in need," said Knous.  "My kettle goal is set at $64,000 and if I am to meet community need, I have no choice but to raise it."  Lt. Knous is also soliciting sponsors who will commit to make a donation amount per hour he stands.  Knous will ring a bell, standing at all times at the kettle stand.  He may leave once every 4 hours, for 15 minutes and may not take any other breaks.  During the break, Lt. Knous may eat snacks.  Drinks can be had at his discretion. 

In its 122^nd year, the annual Red Kettle Campaign was started as a fundraiser by Salvation Army Captain Joseph Mcfee in San Francisco.  Since that time, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States.  As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers.

In 2011, the campaign collected a record $147 million nationwide, supported by the public's nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards and helped The Salvation Army serve 30 million people in communities where the money was raised.  The Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign goal is slightly more than 2.8 million dollars.  The Allegheny County goal is set at $785,000.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 126 countries worldwide.  The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services.  To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log onto www.salvationarmy-wpa.org, twitter.com/SalArmyPGH or facebook.com/SalvationArmyWesternPA.  The Salvation Army ... Doing the most good ... for the most people ... in the most need.

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division