Salvation Army kettle season gets under way

The Salvation Army’s annual kettle season kicks off this week with the appropriately titled Kettle Kickoff events in Turlock and Modesto.

The lunch events are generally big money-makers for the charity; last year’s Modesto kickoff brought in $192,000, while Turlock’s raised $82,000.

After the lunches, volunteers start manning the signature red kettles outside of area businesses. For those who prefer to give online, the Salvation Army has started a virtual red kettle.

Turlock’s Kettle Kickoff is today at the the Assyrian American Club of Turlock, 2618 N. Golden State Blvd. Modesto’s is Thursday at Modesto Centre Plaza.

For more information: Turlock Salvation Army - (209) 667-6091. Modesto Salvation Army - (209) 522-3209. Online — www.onlineredkettle.org/.