BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – As the spirit of generosity fills the air, Salvation Army centers throughout the Tri-Cities are bustling with activity this giving season.

Major Jay Spalding from the Bristol Salvation Army announced that the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign has already amassed $70,000, supported by around 15 collection points scattered throughout the city.

“The funds from the red kettle are vital for our general operations,” he explained. “They support us not only during the festive season but also aid our shelter, social services, and ongoing community initiatives here in Bristol.”

Every contribution, whether a significant donation or a few coins, plays a crucial role. This collective generosity has made a significant impact, especially for children, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program this holiday season.

This year, the Bristol Salvation Army has spread joy by distributing presents to approximately 800 children on Thursday, with an additional 35 benefiting on an emergency day.

Spalding says there is never a child left behind in this process through the work of the Salvation Army and the generosity of the community.

“You’ll see Homepage Video that say ‘forgotten angel’ on [the angel tree], and it will have an age range like 0 to 2 or 5 to 7,” he said. “We’ll have some general items they may like to have. We take those in, and we fill the gaps of where our angels are forgotten. This year, we started our stocking drive for those teenagers that are also in that family, and I think we did a little bit over 70 teenagers this year.”

A former angel child himself, Spalding said the angel tree distribution day is something he looks forward to every year.

“Just seeing that little bit of release, that a little bit of stress is leaving [the parents], like, ‘my kids are going to be okay,’” he said. “Knowing in my heart, because I was that kid, that that kid is going to be happy on Christmas morning and be able to go back from Christmas break and say ‘hey, guess what I got,’ and it’s all because of generous people in the community that we got to be able to help so many kids out.”

Although the holiday season is coming to a close soon, the Salvation Army’s mission is ongoing.

“We want to continue to improve our programs, helping the people of this community and sharing our story about what we do here,” Spalding said. “Our nonprofit and our church has been here for almost 130 years now, and we just love being a part of this community where we get to partner with the generous people here and help out everybody that needs it.”

The Red Kettle Campaign will continue in Bristol until Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.