Salvation Army issues urgent plea for volunteer bell ringers

Before the kickoff at today's Illinois-Ohio State football game, members of the Salvation Army of Champaign County's brass band will take Zuppke Field to kick off the organization's Red Kettle campaign.

"It's probably the biggest crowd the Band of the Heartland has ever played for," Envoy Mike Fuqua said, adding the musicians will join the Marching Illini to play "The Star Spangled Banner" during the pregame show.

Volunteers got a head start ringing bells at 30 kettle locations in Champaign County on Friday. Salvation Army of Danville volunteers will begin doing that at Vermilion County locations on Nov. 21.

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• Obituaries