Registration to ring bells for the Austin Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign will continue through Friday, Nov. 18, according to Stacy Wisemore, volunteer coordinator.

But there is still plenty of time to sign up for a shift and it’s easy to do, said Wisemore.

“We have over half of our slots filled, but we have plenty of slots left” for shifts of bell ringing, said Wisemore.

The campaign will begin Friday and run through Dec. 24. Kettles will be manned from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

Wisemore added that people can register for the two-hour shifts one of three ways: They can sign up online at http://salvationarmynorth.org/volunteer/bellringing/ and click on “Greater Minnesota;” they can call the Salvation Army at 437-4566, extension 101; or stop by the Salvation Army at 704 10th St NE.

On Friday, the kettles will begin to be manned to take donations, with the first contribution being given by the Austin Area Shrine Club & Oriental Band. The organization will present a check to the Salvation Army Friday morning in front of Hy-Vee.

Kettles will be placed at Hy-Vee, Jim’s Marketplace, Runnings, Shopko, Sterling Main Street and Walmart.

Wisemore said that if two-hour shifts are too long for some, they can be split between friends. Many charitable organizations regularly sign up for bell ringing, but more are encouraged.

Some organizations also present challenges to see who can raise the most, such as the Austin Fire Department and the Austin Police Department.