As the hours tick closer to the end of the year so too does the 2011 Christmas Kettle Campaign for the Albert Lea Salvation Army. As of Wednesday evening, about 92 percent of the $202,000 goal had been reached.

Capt. Jim Brickson said he remains hopeful that the shortage of just over $15,000 will be collected before the campaign is officially over.

“It is not uncommon to have last-minute donations before the end of the year,” he said.

An all-time high kettle collection represents nearly $74,000 of this overall goal.

If you would like to make a donation, people should go online to www.thesalarmy.org, call 800-SAL-ARMY, drop money into a kettle, shop at the local thrift store or send a check to 302 Court St., Albert Lea. When giving online or by phone, be sure to designate your donation “Albert Lea Salvation Army.”