When they heard the ringing of the bells, Middletown and Hamilton residents responded to the financial need of their Salvation Army.

Both communities exceeded their Red Kettle Campaign goals, according to their commanders.

Maj. Wilder Garcia said the Hamilton Area Salvation Army, for the first time in his four years, surpassed its goal. The goal was $150,000, and the campaign raised $169,463.57, he said.

In Middletown, Lt. Bryan L. DeMichael reported that the goal of $110,000 was exceeded by $121.45. He said passing the goal came down to the last kettle, the last day.

“We made it and that’s all that matters,” DeMichael said Tuesday.

The campaign began around Thanksgiving and ran through Christmas. Bell ringers were positioned outside stores throughout Butler and Warren counties. The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest Salvation Army fundraiser and supports programs throughout the year, Garcia and DeMichael said.

Garcia said he was “very surprised” that the goal was exceeded, especially considering the economic climate. He was proud, he said, of the Hamilton area residents for what he called their “wonderful generosity.”

He said the Salvation Army assisted about 300 families and 1,200 children this Christmas season.

DeMichael, in his first year in Middletown, said the campaign surpassed its goal because ringers added Mondays and Tuesdays to their schedules. Actually, he said, Middletown probably would have raised $120,000 to $125,000 if the ringers were permitted in front of some stores on Black Friday.

He said he was “very impressed” by the “caring people who helped their neighbor in need.”

DeMichael said the Middletown Salvation Army, partly with its Red Kettle funds, purchased grocery vouchers from Dillman Food for about 500 families that ranged from $20 to $50, based on the size of the family.