Red Kettles— making a difference in Cook County

Cook County’s Service Unit of the Salvation Army is launching its annual Red Kettle campaign on Wednesday, November 25. This singular fundraiser, running until December 24, provides the means to meet needs in Cook County in the upcoming year. Red Kettle attendants are critical to the success of this effort. You can make a real difference by giving an hour or two of your time because donations put in a kettle are directly proportional to the number of hours those large Red Kettles have attendants.

Tina Krauz is the campaign’s new scheduling coordinator. To join this effort, contact her by phone at 387-2700 or by email ckrauz@boreal.org. Kraus will gladly find a time on the Red Kettle schedule that will be convenient for you in Grand Marais at either Gene’s Foods or Johnson’s Foods on weekdays between November 25 and December 24. If you can tend a kettle at Tofte General Store, contact Polly Erickson at 663-7398.

The Cook County Unit is grateful to members from the following churches and organizations for their presence at the Red Kettles on Saturdays in Grand Marais:

. November 28 Bethlehem Lutheran and Spirit of the Wilderness

. December 5 Cornerstone Community and St. John’s Catholic Church

. December 12 Evangelical Free Church and Trinity Lutheran

. December 19 Congregational Church and Oddz & Endz

Thanks also to Lutsen and Zoar Lutheran churches for help at Tofte General Store and to the Grand Marais Lions and Lioness Club for help on “launch day”!

Funds raised last year provided more than $6,000 to meet needs in Cook County. The three largest expenditures were for essential non-food items distributed by the Food Shelf ($2,081); emergency one-time propane for five families ($1,158); and emergency rent for four families ($813).

Amounts of $200 to $300 covered the following needs or projects: Back to school snacks and supplies; a hot water heater; 10 food gift cards; 19 Christmas baskets; gas card for cancer patient; emergency electric (two families); and an Easter project of 70 bags for school children. Amounts of $20 to $140 covered needs like 12 students’ backpacks, two emergency hotel rooms, a gas card, a used bed, a prescription, and a Ruby’s Pantry share.