During the holiday season, the Salvation Army’s red kettles and bell-ringing volunteers are a common sight in front of stores. This annual campaign, which dates back more than 130 years, helps raise money for the Christian charity’s social programs.

Officials at the Salvation Army Aurora Corps Community Center at 550 Redwood Drive in Aurora said the recent drive netted only $85,751 for the Aurora unit, less than half of the goal of $188,000.