With time before Christmas and the red-kettle campaign running low, the Salvation Army is kicking its efforts up a notch this weekend.

Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, contributions Saturday to kettles citywide will be matched up to $8,000.

The campaign, which began Nov. 19, is at about 50 percent of its $327,000 goal, said Salvation Army Capt. Ronnie Amick.

Amick said the campaign is 15 percent to 20 percent lower than at this point in previous years.

Though he couldn't point to an exact reason for the lower numbers, he had one suspicion.

"The weather has probably played into a part of it, because that first full week, we had nothing but rain," Amick said.

People who are not able to make it out Saturday but still wish to contribute to the campaign will have opportunities.

"The kettles will be out until Christmas Eve," Amick said. "But our campaign goes 'til January."

He said donations after Christmas Eve usually taper off, however.

Also, for the 10th year, people have the option to host their own online red kettle. Dollars raised go to the community based on the ZIP code provided by the person signing up. For more information on hosting an online red kettle, visit tsacapegirardeau.org/cape_girardeau/onlineredkettle.

kwebster@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701