A holiday tradition will begin after Thanksgiving — the ringing of bells at Salvation Army kettles. This is the only fundraiser enabling Cook County’s Salvation Army service group to provide services in our community. If you could help by spending an hour or two at one of the big red kettles, you will make a critical difference in the outcome of this effort.
Proceeds from the red kettles are often used in local emergency situations as when a family needs food, fuel, or short-term shelter that other agencies can’t provide. The local Salvation Army service unit also works with other organizations like the Girl Scouts or area churches to provide Christmas gifts for families in need and gifts for shut-ins.
Mary Sanders is again coordinating the kettle campaign with help from Gwen Lenz and Pastor Dale McIntire. However, each volunteer who attends one of the large kettles is the key to a successful campaign. The big kettles have traditionally been located in Grand Marais at Johnson’s Foods and Gene’s Foods and in the West End at the North Shore Market. Kettle attendants can volunteer for a time that fits their schedule on Monday to Saturday from the day after Thanksgiving to the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
Volunteers who offer music during their time at the kettle are especially welcomed and are encouraged to bring their music inside the stores for the enjoyment of shoppers and staff. Some volunteers make this time a “giving tradition” with their children. Some like to make their kettle time more fun by wearing a holiday costume instead of the Salvation Army bell ringer’s apron, or by having their dogs accompany them (outside, of course). Sanders says, “Whatever option you choose, the important part is your friendly presence!”
If you can help ring in the holidays by volunteering, contact Mary Sanders at 387-1729 or e-mail msanders@boreal.org.
On behalf of those who need a helping hand, Sanders thanks all for their support— merchants who have big kettles in their stores, those who provide counter space for the little kettles, those who attend kettles and, of course, those who place donations into them!
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