For the third straight year, Columbia Falls has emerged as the winner of the Salvation Army Flathead Valley City and Chamber Kettle Competition.  

The traveling trophy will remain at Columbia Falls City Hall for another year.

The friendly competition is a popular holiday season event. The cities of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, plus Chamber of Commerce organizations in Evergreen, Bigfork and Lakeside, all ring bells for the Salvation Army’s red-kettle campaign at area retail businesses to see which community can raise the most money for the charity.

Final results from Thursday’s competition are:

• Columbia Falls — $1,780.50 + $500 matching contribution from Smith’s for outstanding “kettling” at a Smith’s store.
•  Evergreen  — $1,534.70.
•  Kalispell — $1,002.97.
•  Lakeside —  $565.20.
•  Whitefish — $518.98.
•  Bigfork — $437.43.

Maj. Steve Svenson of the Kalispell Salvation Army said it was an exciting contest and all areas of the valley were well represented.  

“Thank you to all who rang,” Svenson added. “God bless you and merry Christmas!”

The Salvation Army uses the kettle collections to provide a variety of services to those who need food, clothing and emergency assistance. Its mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.