The official results are still a few weeks away, but it appearsthe Salvation Army’s Brookhaven kettle campaign has met andexceeded expectations.

Wesley Kent, coordinator for the local bell-ringing campaign, saidthe donation drive has already surpassed its $30,000 goal for 2010,and he expects it to climb another $3,000 or more when the finaldollars and cents are emptied from the red kettles and countedup.

“We’re going to exceed $33,000. I know. I’ve got the reports,” Kentsaid.

Kent said the kettle campaign took in more than $1,900 on its firstday – “Black Friday,” Nov. 26. The bell-ringers have averageddonations of around $1,300 per day since then.

“Brookhaven is a great place to live,” he said. “People realizewhen the economy is bad, the need is greater. We have people inthis county who care about people.”

The 2010 results are an improvement for the Salvation Army, whichmissed its $30,000 goal in 2009 by only $1,000. Kent said it wassuggested the goal be lowered for 2010, but he refused tocapitulate.

“Really, you need a goal that’s challenging,” he said. “People willrespond. They’ll be motivated to do that.”

Part of the Salvation Army’s success in 2010 came from its recordnumber of bell-ringers, Kent said. Whereas past campaigns havemaxed out at around 90 volunteers, this year’s drive saw 140bell-ringers step forward, working basically from sunup to sundownin two-hour shifts at both entrances of the BrookhavenWal-Mart.

The surge in participation was due in part to the Salvation Army’sadded emphasis on volunteerism. The organization this year allowedclubs and groups to represent themselves with displays andinformation, and awarded community service credits.

Kent said church groups, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were inabundance on the volunteer roster. Participation has come a long,long way since he first began coordinating the drive.

“The first time I did this, I cold called out of the phonebook,” hesaid. “I’d call 100 people and maybe get three or four who’d agreeto ring the bells.”

Kent said 83 percent of the money raised would go to help people inneed, like assisting people to get back on their feet after housefires, storms, floods and various emergencies. Seventeen percentwill cover the Salvation Army’s administrative costs.

“The money will go where it’s needed,” he said.