Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton issued a proclamation at 8 a.m. Friday declaring December "Red Kettle Month" in Fulton and then dropped the first donation into the kettle.
Benton urged all Fulton residents to volunteer and make donations to the Salvation Army's Red Kettle drive.
"The Salvation Army's devotion and assistance to the neediest among us exemplify the highest ideals of our community and nation," Benton said.
"The Salvation Army," he said, "is known throughout the world for its religious and humanitarian efforts."
Bell ringers will be with Salvation Army kettles at Walmart and C&R Market every Friday and Saturday during December.
Several area businesses also will display a countertop kettle to collect money for the Salvation Army.
Ed Varnum, pastor of the First Christian Church in Fulton, participated in Friday's ceremony.
Also participating was a volunteer band including the Rev. Walter Lockhart of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Fulton playing a euphonium with keyboard and guitar accompaniment.
Earlier, Varnum contacted the Salvation Army Midland Division in St. Louis about opening a Salvation Army unit in Fulton.
During December, the Red Kettle drive will continue to raise funds to help operate the Salvation Army unit when it opens in January.
Varnum said there are other agencies such as SERVE, Inc. that offer services to needy but there still are unmet needs he has encountered at the church.
The new Salvation Service Extension Unit will be located at the First Christian Church in Fulton starting next month.