WEST PLAINS, Mo. – About 20 students, faculty and staff at Missouri State University-West Plains spent Monday afternoon and evening ringing the bell in front of the Walmart Supercenter in West Plains for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign.

Funds from this annual campaign go toward a myriad of services, including food and shelter, for those who need it most in the area.

Hours put in by students, faculty and staff this year are going toward the Operation 50K initiative, which encourages faculty, staff, students and those with ties to the university to give 50,000 hours of volunteer service to their communities in honor of the campus’ 50th anniversary.

The initiative has surpassed the midway point, and university officials report over 31,000 hours have been donated toward community causes.