The Salvation Army has raised $170,000 as of Christmas Eve morning reports Maj. Gary Sturdivant, area commander of the Gulf Coast Salvation Army. He said the goal for the coast collection was $200,000.

Unfortunately, none of the money raised was done in Pearl River County.

Sturdivant said as of right now there is no group that has volunteered to ring bells and collect money for the red kettle.

“We would love to find a volunteer group who would like to ring for us in the county,” Sturdivant said.

He said if anyone is interested in volunteering for next year, they can call Zach Rhodes at 228-384-8301.

“We are so thankful that people every year reach into their pockets and give to us,” Sturdivant said.

Thanks to a women who dropped a letter and two wedding rings into a kettle in front of the Biloxi Wal-Mart last month, the Salvation Army on the coast has decided to hold a contest for couples in need to get wedding rings, a free wedding and anything else sponsors wish to donate.

The Salvation Army asks that couples write a letter explaining the hardships they’ve faced and why they feel they deserve the rings and wedding. Salvation Army volunteers will pick the winner of the contest, said spokeswoman Laura Bianco.

The organization is looking for donations of food and decorations from local companies.

A registration form can be found online or a letter can be mailed to Kettle Rings Giveaway, 2019 22nd St., Gulfport, MS 39501. Entries will be accepted until midnight on Jan. 15.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)