Kicking off the kettles

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 moneymakers for the charity; last year's Modesto kickoff brought in $192,000, while Turlock's raised $82,000. After the lunches, volunteers start working the signature red kettles outside area businesses.

For those who prefer to give online, The Salvation Army has started a virtual red kettle.

Turlock's Kettle Kickoff was Tuesday at the the Assyrian American Club of Turlock. Modesto's is Thursday at Modesto Centre Plaza.

To learn more, call the Turlock Salvation Army at (209) 667-6091 or the Modesto Salvation Army at (209) 522-3209, or visit www.onlineredkettle.org.