To the editor:
Local people with emergency needs for medicine, fuel, utilities or food will be thankful this year for the generosity of their neighbors. The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, to which many of your readers contributed, has resupplied the funds that will be needed.
Some of these readers gave their pocket change each time they passed the kettle. Others pulled cash from their wallets a few times during the season. Whatever they gave, whenever they gave, they helped their neighbors get through tough times. Most of us can remember our own tough times, and how we made it past them. Those who need assistance apply at the local police department and, if approved, receive vouchers, not cash, to be used locally as needed.
Donations were collected primarily at the two large red kettles at Shopko and Econofoods. They were staffed by volunteer bell ringers from many local organizations. Additional money came from small kettles near the checkout at several small businesses: in Marion, Steve and Mary’s, Marion Plaza; in Embarrass, the BP station; and in Clintonville, Family Traditions Restaurant, Flowers and Things, Shell, BP, Erickson’s, A&W and Culver’s. Also, First National Bank and First State Bank accepted donations from their customers. The total was over $10,000.
The Salvation Army appreciates the businesses that support their mission in our area. To all who rang the bell to help their neighbors, and the others who organized volunteers in their groups, I thank them all for their gift of time. I hope they all found a gift for themselves in this service to others.
After 20-plus years of organizing the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, I have found I can no longer do all the work to make this happen again in 2016. I must stop. I would like to find someone with more energy than me to take this over. I’d be happy to work with a new organizer and help make a smooth transition. Anyone who might like to explore this possibility may contact me at 715-823-2658.
These years of experience have shown me year after year that we live in a caring, generous, supportive community. For this, we can all be thankful.
Chuck Manske,
Clintonville
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