THE SALVATION ARMY NEEDS YOUR HELP REACHING RED KETTLE GOAL
THE SALVATION ARMY NEEDS YOUR HELP REACHING RED KETTLE GOAL TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING LOCAL FAMILIES WITH CRITICAL NEEDS
December 4, 2023, Petoskey, MI - The bells are ringing but with fewer volunteers than ever and because the economy is struggling from post-pandemic fall out and high inflation, donations are also down from prior years. The 2023 Red Kettle Campaign is behind more than $8,000 and hitting it’s $143,000 goal will be difficult with only a few weeks left to go. Money raised at the Red Kettles not only funds holiday meal vouchers and toys for children in need, but also is used towards year-round programs that supply basic needs for struggling local residents.
While many service clubs and partner organizations continue to ring the bell, individual volunteers have decreased dramatically since the onset of the pandemic. Without someone to ring, kettles simply don’t receive donations. Even the best locations will only receive a few dollars and some pocket lint without a ringer; that’s how imperative bell-ringers are to the success of the Red Kettle Campaign. Envoy Roman Hank says “Of all the gifts that our given to each of us personally, the greatest gift is time. During this time of year, I ask you to think about giving away part of that precious gift of time by volunteering at one of our many bellringing locations. Only 2 hours of your day could mean a world of difference in someone's life”.
The Red Kettle Campaign supports many local programs and services like meal deliveries, pantry, child and senior programs, addiction recovery support, Bible Adventure Corps (a Christian based after school program) and Emergency Financial Assistance that provides, heat, electricity, rent assistance, emergency auto repair and more.
Red Kettle Campaign Chairman David Meyer urges everyone in our community to come out and share love, compassion and Christmas spirit with neighbors who need it most. He says “There are people in our area living in homes without heat or electricity because they cannot afford the bills. These are people we see every day who still smile and say hello even though they are worried they won’t be able to put food on the table, keep their family warm or have gifts to give their children on Christmas morning”.
If you would like to volunteer to ring, please visit RegisterToRing.com or call the Bell-Ringer Hotline at (231) 340-9414. To give to the Red Kettle Campaign, visit SAPetoskey.org for online donations, place donations in a red kettle or mail checks made out to The Salvation Army of Petoskey, 712 Pleasant Street, Petoskey, MI 49770.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more about our year-round programs and services or to donate, please call (231) 347-3531 or visit SAPetoskey.org.