Salvation Army in Whiteside County kicking off Give With Joy Christmas campaign in Sterling

The Salvation Army serving Whiteside County is officially kicking off its 2026 Give with Joy Red Kettle Campaign. As many in the community are facing hardship this holiday season, the Salvation Army is stepping up to meet the demand for food, emergency assistance and Christmas gifts for kids, according to a news release. To ensure critical services remain available through the holidays and beyond, the organization aims to raise $70,000 during the campaign and is calling on the local community to help make it possible. The Christmas campaign will kick off with a free Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Nov. 14, at 1st Presbyterian Church of Sterling. The event will feature performances from local music groups, including Joyful Noise, the Salvation Army’s youth musical group. To help raise funds for the campaign, there will be an auction of pottery created by the youth program, Kiwanis will hold a raffle for gift cards from local businesses, and donations will be accepted through an offering. Th