Murrieta Mayor, Council to Ring Salvation Army Donation Bell

The "Red Kettle City Council Challenge" is on among three southwest Riverside County cities.

Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs has accepted a challenge from Lake Elsinore Mayor Brian Tisdale to see which local city can bring in the most money for the area's less fortunate this holiday season.

Gibbs, Murrieta Councilwoman Kelly Bennett and Murrieta Councilman Harry Ramos will take shifts ringing Salvation Army bells from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 in front of Walmart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta. Gibbs said he was still looking for a few volunteers to round out the roster.

Council members from Lake Elsinore and Temecula will be doing the same Saturday in their respective cities.

"Challenge is a catchy title; we are not competing because we are all collaborating," Gibbs told Patch. "This is about filling the coffers of the Salvation Army, who does such great work to assist those less fortunate and in need."

Tisdale said his vision for the contest aims to not only create a fun multi-jurisdictional event, but raise awareness throughout the region of the Red Kettle drive that is a staple holiday presence of the Salvation Army dating back to 1891 in San Francisco.

In his official challenge, Tisdale stated he will personally come before the City Council that brings in the most money for the event.

Donations collected through the Red Kettle City Council Challenge will go to support the local missions of Salvation Army of Southwest California, 40270 Los Alamos Road in Murrieta. The local army serves the communities of Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Menifee and Wildomar.