Salvation Army's Big Ring set for Nov. 24 at two Valley Dairy locations in Grand Forks

The Salvation Army’s annual fundraising event, The Big Ring, set for Nov. 24, will take place at two Valley Dairy locations and will include an online auction this year.

Businesses, organizations and individuals donate a certain amount of cents per gallon sold that day. Last year’s donations totaled more than $1.75 per gallon and almost 9,000 gallons were pumped.

Volunteers from around the community take shifts pumping gas so customers don’t have to leave their vehicles.

The 14th annual event, hosted by Valley Dairy and Leighton Broadcasting, runs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 24.

The locations are Valley Dairy businesses at 1220 University Ave. and 4701 S. Washington St.

The online silent auction, which begins at noon Sunday, Nov. 22, can be found at the Salvation Army’s Big Ring page on Facebook, https://go.rallyup.com/bigring2020 . The auction was moved online to ease concerns regarding social distancing. The Salvation Army is planning to have at least 100 items, including a remote car starter as well as jewelry available for bidding.

“With COVID-19 affecting so many we serve, the need has never been greater, not only for the Salvation Army, but for the community of Grand Forks, Lt. Matthew Beatty of the Grand Forks Salvation Army, said in a news release.

The Big Ring has normally been held the first week in December in connection with the kickoff of the Christmas red-kettle season. The Salvation Army’s advisory board decided to move it ahead of the holidays, in light of the busy seasonal schedules and to avoid potentially severe winter weather.

The major fundraiser has netted nearly $50,000 annually to families in the greater Grand Forks region over the past several years, according to a Salvation Army news release.

Businesses or organizations that wish to donate an auction item, pledge a certain amount per gallon of gas pumped, or arrange for volunteers to serve at the event are asked to contact the Salvation Army by email, BigRingGrandForks@gmail.com, call or visit the Salvation Office at (701) 775-2597 or at 1600 University Ave.

1/4: Volunteers were ready to pump gas for customers during the 2019 Big Ring, to benefit the Salvation Army, at the Valley Dairy in south Grand Forks. From left: Mike McLaughlin, Ed Hippen, Richard Sandwick, Jim Anderson, Jay Farmer and an unidentified volunteer. This year's event is set for 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at two Valley Dairy Washington Street locations, at University and 47th avenues. (Submitted photo)

2/4: Customers stopped by to gas up at the day-long 2019 Big Ring event at the southside Valley Dairy where volunteers pumped gas. This year, the 14th Annual Big Ring, which benefits the local Salvation Army, is set for Tuesday, Nov. 24. (Submitted photo)

3/4: Volunteers pumped gas for customers during the day-long Big Ring event last year at the Valley Dairy store in south Grand Forks. The event, a major fundraiser for the Grand Forks Salvation Army, is planned for Nov. 24 at two Valley Dairy Washington Street locations, at University and 47th avenues. (Submitted photo)

4/4: A volunteer, unidentified, pumped gas during the 2019 Big Ring event at the Valley Dairy store in south Grand Forks. This year, the 14th annual Big Ring, which benefits the Grand Forks Salvation Army, is set for 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24. (Submitted photo)