More than $77,000 was donated to The Salvation Army of Vicksburg during the Red Kettle campaign last Christmas, Lt. Herb Frazier said Wednesday.

The money more than doubled average holiday time donations in the Vicksburg area, Frazier added during an address before the Vicksburg Lions Club.

Frazier presented the local chapter’s 2009 Bell Ringer Award to the club for the group’s $2,028.33 contribution to the total.

Red Kettle volunteers ring bells for holiday donations outside local retailers. The Salvation Army is an international Christian evangelical movement.