“As one ages time seems to move more quickly and suddenly again it’s time to place those Salvation Army red kettles into our local businesses,” said Mary Sanders, coordinator of the red kettle campaign in Cook County. “Of course the vital factor in this campaign’s success is having attendants at the kettles!”
Sanders explained that volunteer attendants can simply be a friendly presence gently ringing a bell for an hour or two, but attendants who offer some music, vocal or instrumental, are especially appreciated by both customers and workers at the kettle site.
If you can offer this help at one of the three large red kettle sites (Gene’s Foods or Johnson’s Foods in Grand Marais or Tofte General Store in Tofte), please contact Mary Sanders by phone (218) 387-1729 or email msanders@boreal.org beginning Monday, November 25.
Hours are flexible—Monday through Saturday during store hours until noon Monday, December 24. Some volunteers make this a “giving tradition” with their children. Some like to make “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 naturally). A stool is provided at the Grand Marais sites for those who may need it.
Proceeds from the red kettles are used in Cook County, often in an emergency situation as when someone needs food, fuel, or short-term shelter that other agencies can’t provide. The local Salvation Army service unit bases their budget on the funds raised and distributes emergency aid as needed. The unit also cooperates with others like the Girl Scouts to make life a bit brighter in the county.
In 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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