"[It's] that one fundraiser during Christmas time helps us year round," Major Shelley Mcclintock said.
You've seen the red kettles and heard those bells for years, and as the holiday season approaches, the Salvation Army is gearing up for its annual Red Kettle fundraiser.
"It's one of our one fundraisers that sustains us for the whole year," Mcclintock said.
The dollars and coins you drop in may seem like a small gift, but they add up and have a much bigger impact.
"We are able to help other people keep their lights on, feed people, help with our anti-trafficking effort [and] our youth development program," Mcclintock said.
To help jump start their giving season, the Salvation Army is hosting its Red Kettle 5k and Family Day on Saturday. This year's celebration will take place in the heart of the city near midtown.
Runners and walkers will take a new route this year, seeing some of Omaha's most historic parts of town, like Bemis Park and the Joslyn Castle Neighborhood.
"We're very excited to have people come to Bemis park, see the new campus here [at the] Salvation Army, and all the good work they're doing in the community." Bemis Park Neighborhood Association President Shane Strong said.
"Any time you can bring people into your neighborhood and they go, 'oh wow this a great place' we love that,"Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association President Margie Magnuson said.
Major Mcclintock says they hope to raise awareness in those neighborhoods so people can see the work the Salvation Army does, and be inspired to get involved.
"It's so key, because without good relationships with our neighbors we can't help people that need the help, you know and I think there's people in need in every community," Mcclintock said.
The events start Saturday at 9 a.m. in Renaissance Village.
You can register for the 5k and 1 mile run/walk at https://donate.salarmywestern.org/event/red-kettle-5k-and-family-day/e192562 .
