Shelby County saw a last minute surge in donations to the Salvation Army&8217;s Red Kettle campaign this Christmas.

Some $94,000 was donated at kettles throughout the county, a number almost identical to 2005&8217;s tally.

&8220;We didn&8217;t have a goal for this year,&8221; said Tree Davidson, Salvation Army spokeswoman. &8220;We just hoped to raise more money than last year, and we almost did that.&8221;

Throughout the greater Birmingham area, the kettle drive raised $567,000, a 10 percent jump compared to last year. &8220;We are extremely pleased that the kettle season went so well,&8221; said Major John Carter. &8220;The overall funding for other programs is down, but we hope that this upward trend will continue.

Tree attributes the success to a late surge in volunteer bell ringers. &8220;Thank you to everyone who contributed, volunteered,&8221; she said.