Salvation Army officials expect this holiday season’s red kettle collections in Hawaii to match last year’s tally of about $900,000.

And every dollar will stay in the community in which it was collected, said Maj. John Chamness, who serves as divisional commander for the Salvation Army in the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.

While the international charitable organization’s alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs meet a significant need in certain parts of the state, other communities will receive help in whatever area is most beneficial, Chamness said.

In addition to maintaining 140 kettle collection sites statewide, the organization this week distributed thousands of Christmas gifts to underprivileged children and senior citizens through its popular Angel Tree program.

The Salvation Army is also presenting its annual nativity play — complete with live animals and hula-dancing angels — staged in a straw-filled manger fronting the Waioli Tea Room in Manoa, near the Salvation Army’s local headquarters. The presentation, which got underway on Monday, wraps up tonight with continuous performances from 7 to 9 p.m.

Chamness, who shares the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division leadership with his wife, Maj. Lani Chamness, said he’s confident that donations to this season’s Red Kettle Campaign will match last year’s collection.

Not all bell ringers are volunteers, he added. About half of the bell ringers take the job for a little extra income, and get paid minimum wage. Many of the others are retirees or people with disabilities who want to pitch in.

“We have a lot of repeat volunteers. They enjoy helping and know they’re making a difference in the community,” he said.

In addition, service organizations, high school groups and some businesses put together kettle-ringing teams. In downtown Honolulu, Central Pacific, Territorial Savings, First Hawaiian and Hawaii National banks got into the spirit last week by holding a friendly competition for potential donors on the four corners at King and Bishop streets. Passersby were invited to enjoy a slice of pizza or a taste of dim sum.

Whether or not passersby toss coins or cash into the kettle, Chamness said, “We tell all our ringers to wish them a Merry Christmas. If nothing else, we’re spreading good cheer.”

Since the holiday season got underway, bell ringer Mackie Dela Cruz has called out intermittent season’s greetings from his post in front of the Longs Drugs store in Moiliili, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. A Salvation Army volunteer every Christmas since 2005, the 73-year-old hotel industry retiree said, “I just wanted to help the community.”

For three seasons, Dela Cruz was a bell ringer at the nearby old Longs Drugs store on King Street. The space is now a Ross Dress for Less store. He said some Moiliili shoppers still associate him with the other location.“They just know me by my personality,” Dela Cruz said as eager children pushed coins into the slot of his kettle. He rewarded them with warm thank-yous.

The red kettles became an iconic symbol of Christmas in the United States during the 1950s. Chamness said the catchy Christmas tune “Silver Bells,” written in 1951 for a movie, was inspired by the Santas and Salvation Army volunteers ringing for donations.

Chamness said the nonprofit’s year-round aim is to help change people’s lives for the better.

“When you give to the Salvation Army you know it’s a trusted organization that’s going to do the right thing with your money. We’ve been in existence for 150 years internationally, 120 years in Hawaii,” he said, adding that 82 cents of every dollar goes toward direct service, “so we don’t have high overhead, or fundraising costs.”

The Salvation Army, which first took shape in 1865 in London, wants to “make sure that when a donor gives, that donation doesn’t get spent on administrative costs, it gets spent on programs,” Chamness said.

While all donations are appreciated, some are astonishing, such as the check for $500,000 dropped into a kettle in Minnesota last month. From year to year, Chamness said, the overall Red Kettle Campaign typically sees at least a few unusual donations, such as a gold coin or a check exceeding $1,000.

“There’s trust in the Salvation Army; there’s a lot of respect,” he said.

For information about year-round donations through Mobile Red Kettle, text HIKETTLE to 71777 or visit hawaii.salvationarmy.org.