Press Release

WARSAW — The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County stands to benefit from interest surrounding the Dec. 12 Old Oaken Bucket game in Bloomington.

An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar-for-dollar donations made to Red Kettles on the day before the match-up in an amount up to $1,000. Both Purdue and Indiana University fans are encouraged to show their support through donations to The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettles on Friday, Dec. 11.

“The rules for this event have been changed,” said Envoy Ken Locke, administrator for The Salvation Army’s corps community center in Warsaw.

“The score is 0-0 as we start ringing at 4 p.m. Dec. 11. We need ringers to fill the times for IU and Purdue this Friday. Then we need folks to come out and support their team.”

The Old Oaken Bucket game is a tradition going back almost a century. The Indiana University Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers have competed in college football since 1891, though the Old Oaken Bucket trophy was first awarded in 1925. Since that time, the two universities have traded the trophy back and forth as they meet up each fall on the football field. Kosciusko County is home to many alumni from the two schools. This prompted The Salvation Army’s anonymous donor to challenge both alumni and wants to give back to their community in honor of the big game.

Shoppers looking for a Red Kettle on Dec. 11 will be able to find bell ringers at Walmart from 4-8 p.m. at each door. IU will be represented at the grocery entrance (north door) and Purdue will be at the home and pharmacy entrance (south door). Totals collected that day will go toward the match and a winner will be announced with the highest kettle total. For more information, call Locke at (574) 268-7697.

Anyone interested in volunteering to ring a bell this holiday season is invited to visit registertoring.com and find a location, date and time that works for their schedule. The Salvation Army is focused on keeping both volunteers and donors safe and healthy with new safety protocols that include regularly sanitizing the kettle equipment and using PPE.