INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Volunteers are taking to storefronts ringing bells next to bright red kettles in hopes of enticing shoppers to part with a few coins in support of the Salvation Army.

“We always need volunteers,” said John Corapi, director of development for the Indian River Salvation Army. “That’s a given.”

The Red Kettle Drive is the organization’s largest fund-raiser and helps to support the group’s efforts all year long.

This year, officials hope to raise $120,000 – $25,000 more than last year’s goal.

Corapi said the increase is due to the rising need within the community for the Salvation Army’s services. Such services include assistance with food, paying utilities, finding housing and providing clothing, among many others.

The Red Kettle Drive is a 6-week fund-raiser that began Nov. 13, earlier than in years past due to the high fund-raising goal.

“We see the need” due to the economy, Corapi said.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help man the kettles throughout the county or businesses or clubs to sponsor the sites.

“Whatever they can do to help out,” Corapi said.

Along with the Red Kettle Drive, the Salvation Army also has its annual Angel Tree Program, which provides Christmas assistance for children and seniors.

Christmas trees are placed in various businesses around the county, decorated with nominated children and seniors who might not have Christmas presents otherwise.

Corapi said that the purpose of the trees is to help the community “adopt” an angel and purchase gifts for that person.

For children, the Wish List might include undershirts, T-shirts, and shoes – necessities. A couple toys might also be listed to make Christmas morning a bit more fun for the children.

For seniors, many of whom do not have family and are living on a restricted income, such Christmas gifts might include towels, bed linens and other items that they might need but cannot afford.

Corapi said that the Salvation Army has more than 1,000 angels registered this year – 15 percent of which are seniors.

A new Angel Tree effort has taken shape on the Internet, according to Corapi.

JCPenney is offering an online Angel Tree for the Salvation Army. The Web site, www.angel.jcpenney.com, allows shoppers to adopt an angel online and then go shopping – either on JCPenney’s Web site, store or other shopping venues.

Regardless of how angels are selected, adopters can take their gifts either to the business where they adopted the angel or drop off the items to the Salvation Army itself, located at 2655 5th St., Vero Beach.

The following are lists for where the Red Kettles and Angel Trees can be found. Anyone interested in adopting a kettle, volunteering or providing a place for a tree should contact Corapi by calling (772) 978-0265, ext. 104 or e-mailing john_corapi@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Where to find the Red Kettles:

Most Publix grocery stores

Vero Beach Wal-Mart, 5555 20th Street

Sebastian Wal-Mart, 2001 US 1

Sam’s Club, Vero Beach, 5565 20th Street

K-Mart, Vero Beach, 1501 US 1

JCPenney, Indian River Mall, 6200 20th Street