Red Kettle Ring Off: Annual Battle of the Mayors

The annual holiday tradition continues as the mayors of Michigan City and La Porte prepare for their friendly “Battle of the Mayors” in support of The Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign. The two cities will once again participate in the Red Kettle Ring Off on Friday, December 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., during which Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch of Michigan City and Mayor Tom Dermody of La Porte will each staff a red kettle in their respective communities and compete to see who can raise the most funds to support families in need throughout La Porte County.

Mayor Nelson Deuitch will be joined by friends, family, and department heads at Al’s Supermarket on Karwick Road in Michigan City, while Mayor Dermody will be at Kroger in La Porte. In addition, each mayor will have a red kettle stationed at their City Hall, and community members may also contribute online through the mayors’ official Virtual Red Kettles. To ensure clarity in determining this year’s winner (after last year’s friendly dispute resulting from an anonymous kettle match) only funds raised at the store locations, at City Hall, or through the designated online donation pages will count toward the final totals. Donations for Michigan City may be made at donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/MayorAngieMC, and contributions for La Porte can be made at donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/MayorTomLP.

Majors Dale and Becky Simmons, who now oversee both The Salvation Army of Michigan City and The Salvation Army of La Porte, noted that this year marks their first in a combined leadership role for all Salvation Army services in La Porte County. They shared that this collaboration has allowed them to see even more clearly the needs facing local families and the powerful impact of community partnerships. “We see firsthand the growing needs among local families, and we are incredibly grateful to both Mayor Angie and Mayor Tom for stepping up once again to help raise critical funds,” said Major Dale Simmons. “Their leadership, enthusiasm, and community spirit make a real difference for our neighbors who rely on us, not just at Christmas, but all year long. So the real winner of this battle will be the residents of La Porte County.”

Funds raised through the Christmas Campaign help provide food and toys to hundreds of local families during the holidays, and also support year-round services including food pantries, weekend backpack programs, diaper assistance, summer camp, spiritual care, case management, and more.

The Salvation Army in La Porte County has experienced increased requests for assistance as more households face economic challenges. Funds raised through the Christmas Campaign remain vital to meeting this growing need and to ensuring that families across La Porte County receive the support they rely on. Community members who wish to volunteer as bell ringers may sign up in either Michigan City or La Porte by visiting www.RegisterToRing.com. Red kettles will remain available for donations through December 24, and additional information about local programs and services is available at www.samichigancity.org and www.salaporte.org