Kiwanians “ringing” in the season!
Vicki Baker
It’s that time of year! The “miracle” of Christmas is repeated over and over again through the joy of caring and sharing. The traditional Salvation Army Red Kettle is an integral part of the holiday scene with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors and the homeless. Kiwanis Club members volunteer their time and talents to assist in the Red Kettle Campaign, thus becoming critical partners in helping the Salvation Army fulfill its promise of “Doing the Most Good”.
The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Salvation Army to provide food, toys, shelter and clothing to millions of people during the Christmas season and helps others recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide. First started in San Francisco in 1891, this is the Salvation Army’s prominent fundraiser. The bell ringing season starts each November and runs through Christmas Eve, when the red kettles are packed away for the season.
Last year the Kiwanis Club bell ringers raised over $4900 over a two-week period outside the Kroger grocery store in Denton in mid-December. These Red Kettle donations helped provide lodging for 15,166 individuals, feed 4545 people, provide comfort packs for 2317 persons, serve 2374 meals, and distribute Christmas gifts to 2028 children and 110 seniors.
Kiwanians have what it takes to be bell ringers: ready smiles and the desire to make someone’s Christmas a little happier. Interested in sharing in the joy of the season or all year? Come visit a Kiwanis Club RR meeting on the first and third Fridays of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the clubhouse or by contacting Ed Kerr
at [email protected].