The familiar ring of the Salvation Army bells has started again in Northwest Georgia.

Bell ringers with the familiar red kettles are at both Rome Walmarts, Kroger and Sam’s Club as well as the Walmarts in Cedartown, Rockmart and Summerville.

But you can send a virtual ring to your friends and family online, according to Capt. Douglas McClure of Rome’s Salvation Army.

The organization has established www.onlineredkettle.org, which allows individuals to create an online site where their friends can donate to the Salvation Army.

The Online Red Kettle gives people a chance to help the local organization reach its goal of $65,000.

“This is the money we need to operate for the next year,” McClure said. “This is our only public fundraiser.”

The Salvation Army’s Can-a-thon will take place Friday morning at State Mutual Stadium. Last year more than 50,000 cans of food were donated, all of which remained with the local organization.

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services: emergency shelter, drug/alcohol abuse rehabilitation, rent assistance, utilities assistance, clothing and food assistance and disaster relief services. They operate two thrift stores, one on Shorter Avenue and one on East Second Avenue.