©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Program Kicks Off Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign |
The Salvation Army's red kettles that are in place at several Galesburg businesses and the sound of ringing bells are a couple of reminders that the holiday season has arrived.
The Galesburg Salvation Army officially kicked off the Kettle campaign Saturday at Sandburg Mall with a program that involved music from both children and adults. The proceeds from the kettles help make the holidays brighter for struggling families in Knox County.
Salvation Army Captain Rick Ray says those families need help, and the kettle campaign is vital to making sure that happens. "We are servicing next week over 200 families for Thanksgiving food baskets, I think rather 265, to families," Ray said. "Then we're going to be doing Christmas as well."
Ray says the goal this year for the Salvation Army's Christmas efforts is $123,000. People can also contribute money through the annual mail appeal that compliments the kettle drive.
Ray says he's seeking volunteers to ring bells. Last year's campaign came up about $20,000 short of the goal, primarily because some of the bell ringers were paid. Ray called it a two-fold thing.
"Because this is also a job opportunity for those people who can't find jobs, but also it helps us cut our budget," Ray said. "The more volunteers are used and that money goes back into our community."
People can volunteer to ring bells by contacting the Salvation Army at 342-9168. Kettles are set up at more than a dozen locations in Galesburg.
Galesburg Christian School, the Churchill Choir and the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble provided music during the program. Mayor Sal Garza read a proclamation designating November 21st as Salvation Army Red Kettle Kick Off Day.
Photos from the Salvation Army Kettle Kick-Off Program at Sandburg Mall
A Salvation Army Red Kettle sits at one of the entrances to Sandburg Mall
Salvation Army Captain Rick Ray speaks during the Kettle Kick Off program at the mall
Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza, with his daughter Sophia, reads a proclamation designating November 21st as Salvation Army Kettle Kick Off Day in Galesburg
(WGIL News Story and Photos by Mike Perry) |
|
| 11 21 09 by Newsroom |
Click here for the WGIL News Archive
Click here for national news
The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.
