The Albert Lea Salvation Army kicked off its annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign today with bells ringing across the city.

As people flooded into local stores to take advantage of Black Friday sales, bell ringers took to their stations at Walmart, Shopko, Hy-Vee, Nelson’s Market Place, Trail’s Travel Center and in the Northbridge Mall to begin collecting money for families in need across Freeborn County.

Local Salvation Army Capt. Jim Brickson said this year’s campaign goal is $202,000. This is higher than the 2010 goal but lower than the amount the community collected last year. Brickson said volunteers raised $204,000 during the 2010 campaign.

All money raised through the campaign helps the nonprofit organization with myriad assistance programs for the community, including after-school and summer day-care programs for low-income families, temporary shelter, rental and fuel assistance, a food pantry and budget counseling to help families achieve economic independence.

“If everybody in Freeborn County gave 10 bucks, we’d be done,” Brickson said. “But if they can’t give money, give a little bit of their time.”

He asked people to consider donating time to ring bells at the different locations around town.

People could also consider personally sponsoring an entire day with their family members, friends or co-workers.

As of this week, only 712 out of a total 1,866 bell-ringing hours had been reserved. That means more than half of the hours are still available.

Bell ringing continues through Dec. 24.

People can register to ring by calling 373-5710 or by going online to www.thesalarmy.org/albertlea.

On the website, people should click “Wanna Be a Bell Ringer,” which will enable them to set up their own account. From there, they can select the day, time and location they wish to volunteer.

The campaign begins after the Salvation Army on Wednesday offered a free community Thanksgiving meal to county residents at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.