ZELIENOPLE — Salvation Army volunteers in the borough recently were recognized for collecting more than $20,000 from the group’s red kettles last year.

The total collected by the Zelienople Service Unit was the highest out of the seven service areas in Butler County and one of the highest in Western Pennsylvania, said Rosaleen Poloso, Salvation Army service unit field representative.

“They have an amazing community that is very supportive of the Salvation Army,” Poloso said.

In recognition of the accomplishment, the group received a plaque.

Marietta Reeb, a borough council member and a volunteer with the service unit, said the plaque may be placed in the council chambers in the borough building.

The group organizes bell ringers to collect donations in red kettles at Walgreens and BiLo, both on Route 19. The group also collects donations during the annual borough Christmas parade, which is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

“We just have generous people here,” Reeb said.

The red kettle campaign runs from the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 24 each year. Of the money collected, 90 percent goes to the service unit to assist people in need.

The service unit offers assistance throughout the year to people and families who need help with utilities, rent, clothing, medical bills and other expenses. Around the holidays, it collects coats and winter clothing for Project Bundle Up and provides assistance to people who need help paying for toys and food.

The Butler County area has service areas in Zelienople, Evans City, Mars, Slippery Rock, Gibsonia, Chicora and Saxonburg that are entirely run by volunteers.

Assistance and volunteers for Butler are coordinated through the Butler Salvation Army Corps Community Center on West Cunningham Street.