Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks has been named the honorary chairperson of the Utica Salvation Army's 2015 Red Kettle Campaign.

The campaign will officially kick-off on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. with a ceremony at the Utica Central Fire Station on Bleecker Street.

“I am honored to work with The Salvation Army,” Brooks said. “I have long been impressed by the way Salvation Army officers and volunteers always seem to be on the front lines where the need is greatest.”

The Kettle Campaign goal this year is $100,000.

The money raised in the Red Kettle Campaign enables the Salvation Army to provide Christmas food baskets for approximately 500 families, and toys and winter clothing for approximately 1,500 children.

To volunteer to be a bellringer, call the Utica Salvation Army at 315-724-8736, or sign up online at salvationarmyempirestate.org.

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