The Salvation Army kicked off their 20009 Red Kettle Campaign Drive at the Fountains yesterday morning with more than 200 people in attendance. The goal again this year is to raise $200,000.00 and with your support I believe we can make this happen.
Salisbury News will be expanding our responsibility in this drive by adding another location. Last year we covered Sam's Club and the Salisbury WalMart. This year we'll add Gander Mountain and we'll need your help.
Last year Sam's Club and the Salisbury WalMart were the two biggest income providers during the entire campaign, thanks to you. We'd like to see the Gander Mountain location as one of the top three.
This year Salisbury News will once again post charts with individual names and corporate names of those who volunteer to ring a bell at these locations. Just by volunteering, your name or company name will get FREE advertising on Salisbury News every day and sometimes several times a day. Who better to do business with than those who volunteer to help others. Salisbury News is pleased to provide such advertising and we need you now more than ever.
The economy has hit us hard since last year and even more families are in need. When you reach into your pocket for loose change, you have no idea how big a difference it makes in some one's life. I know that every time I walk past a red kettle, if there's change in my pocket, it goes in the bucket. Even if I've just donated the day before, it doesn't matter. Remember what my Grandmother used to say to me, "Joe, someone else needed it more than you did." It's the truth Folks.
Please consider volunteering your time this year and let's achieve their goal of $200,000.00. Below are some of the Award Recipients for the 2008 Red Kettle Campaign. Thank You once again and we'll have those scheduled up in no time so everyone can start filling in the slots.
2008 Red Kettle Awards
Individual Bell Ringers
1st: Ken Menser rang 132 hours and collected $5,474.21 in donations.
2nd: John Peters rang 115 hours and collected $3,500.38 in donations.
3rd: Michelle Dashiell rang 48 hours and collected $1,969.04 in donations.
Corporate Bell Ringers
1st: George G. Strott Law Firm rang 58 hours and collected $2,612.57 in donations.
2nd: Peninsula Regional Medical Center rang 33 hours and collected $1,606.97 in donations.
3rd: CFS Retirement &Tax Solutions rang 41 hours and collected $1,536.41 in donations
Clubs and Organizations Bell Ringers
1st: Ocean Pines Kiwanis rang 147 hours and collected $7,543.81 in donations.
2nd: Optimist Club of Salisbury rang 74 hours and collected $2,665.79 in donations.
3rd: Quota Club of Salisbury rang 44 hours and collected $2,106.20 in donations.
1st: Ken Menser rang 132 hours and collected $5,474.21 in donations.
2nd: John Peters rang 115 hours and collected $3,500.38 in donations.
3rd: Michelle Dashiell rang 48 hours and collected $1,969.04 in donations.
Corporate Bell Ringers
1st: George G. Strott Law Firm rang 58 hours and collected $2,612.57 in donations.
2nd: Peninsula Regional Medical Center rang 33 hours and collected $1,606.97 in donations.
3rd: CFS Retirement &Tax Solutions rang 41 hours and collected $1,536.41 in donations
Clubs and Organizations Bell Ringers
1st: Ocean Pines Kiwanis rang 147 hours and collected $7,543.81 in donations.
2nd: Optimist Club of Salisbury rang 74 hours and collected $2,665.79 in donations.
3rd: Quota Club of Salisbury rang 44 hours and collected $2,106.20 in donations.
I'm ready.
ReplyDeleteSurprise -- a press event without Ireton?
ReplyDeleteJoe, how do we get in touch with you to volunteer? I know a lot of our high school students need volunteer hours, this would be a great way for family's to give something back to our community.
ReplyDeleteJoe's number is posted on top of this blog. It's 410-430-5349
ReplyDeleteI called him after I saw this post and told him I am available to help.
ReplyDeleteSalvation Army/Red Shield=Good Cause
ReplyDeleteMy son played Cadet football when little, good character building exercise.
I will be making an extra effort to help this year, given certain peoples' attempts to torpedo the good job Joe did last year.
ReplyDeleteWho pays for what looks like a very elegant setting for the kick-off banquet? Just think how much could be contributed to the red-kettle fund if the money spent on the elaborate hall were given to the Salvation Army.
ReplyDeleteSponsors underwrote the cost of the breakfast. It is not unusual at all for non-profits to have events to kickoff campaigns or thank donors. I've been to many. Breakfasts are typically the least expensive way to do it.
ReplyDeleteThe centerpieces were empty kettles to make the point that they need to be filled. Some guests put money in the kettles before they left.
From what I saw and heard, most guests were like myself and left feeling energized and inspired to do more to support the Salvation Army and our community this Christmas season.
Seems like it was a good "small" investment to me. There was nothing excessive about it. It was a well done program with interesting speakers and best of all it started and ended on time.
anonymous 9:41, thank you for answering that question. Let me make this perfectly clear. The breakfast meeting did not cost the Salvation Army a penny. It was all sponsored. A ton of thanks needs to go out to Chris Davis at the Fountain's for making this event so affordable.
ReplyDeleteThe Fountain's is a Wonderful Place to hold such an event. If it had been held at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, it would have cost everyone "Big Bucks" to attend. Keep up the good work Mr. Chris Davis.
ReplyDeletePeople I know at the Salvation Army said the Fountains was wonderful to work with and that the banquet staff rang bells last year and is going to do so this year.
ReplyDeleteIt was some of their staff who were able to fill in at the last minute when Joe posted emergency openings.
It is good to see businesses that give back to the community and encourage their employees to do so. They are the ones we should support - not the ones who take, take, take.
Good job, Fountains!