The Salvation Army of Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler Counties announces the winners of the 2024 Red Kettle Challenges held between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The winners of this year’s awards are as follows:

Battle of the Badges: Ohio County Sheriff’s Department – $1,548.60;

Mascot Challenge: Wheeling Nailers – $265.89;

Civic Organization Challenge: Wheeling Rotary – $2,303.75; and

High School Challenge: John Marshall High School – $1,850.63.

Lt. John Lawrence said the challenges are just a fun way to add an additional level of fun for groups who are already supportive of The Salvation Army’s mission in the community.

“We do these challenges to add a fun level of competition for groups who are supportive of us throughout the year and would come out and ring bells regardless of whether there was a competition or not. This is a fun way to recognize the ringers, and it’s fun to hear the stories come back about how the mascots were having dance-offs, how interested our civic organizations are in how they performed, or how superstitious our first responders are about having a specific kettle at their station. These groups take these competitions seriously, so we want to get the results out as quickly as possible. I mean, if you look at this year, John Marshall High School came within $500 of beating Wheeling Rotary which historically has the biggest kettle each year.”

Lawrence said they will continue to accept kettle donations from their volunteer groups through the end of the year.

“Each year, after the totals are released, I think the competitive nature of some of our groups kick in, and we get a few checks trickle in. It’s not about the public recognition for them. It’s about bragging rights.”

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Wheeling Command is West Virginia’s oldest social services organization, opening its doors in 1883.