Members of the Golden "K" Kiwanis Club pose with the Golden Kettle. /A/Capt. Mika Roinila
Gordon Foods and PepsiCo were recognized for their participation in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. /A/Capt. Mika Roinila
The Salvation Army’s Christmas Campaign began Nov.7 and ended Dec.24. During the seven weeks of bell ringing, the Army challenged local service clubs to support the “Help Marches On” campaign. The effort of the 2021 campaign surpasses efforts of past years. In 2021, the Army received more support and more participation from local groups than in years past.
A new record was set for the number of ringers and groups participating. With a volunteer bell-ringing crew of some 90 people and 10 service clubs, hundreds of hours of service were given to the Christmas Campaign. Service clubs spent 178 hours ringing bells and raised a total of $10,844.88.
Because of COVID concerns, The Salvation Army Fulton Heights Citadel held a small awards ceremony on Jan.31 that was livestreamed to a wider audience on Monday evening. The entire 24-minute event can be watched online through the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/safultonheights/videos/367947211335035.
Organizers had invited the winning club along with major corporate representatives who volunteered for the Angel Tree gift collections and distributions. Treena Gilbert (TSA Volunteer Coordinator) recognized the support of Gordon Foods and PepsiCo, while Auxiliary Captain Mika Roinila (Fulton Heights Citadel) presented the Golden Kettle Trophy to the Golden “K” Kiwanis Club of Grand Rapids. Club members were excited to receive the Golden Kettle, which will return for another Christmas Campaign fall of 2022.
Winners of the trophy thus far have included the Golden “K” Kiwanis Club (2021, 2019), and the Kentwood Rotary Club (2020). More participation from other groups is welcome. More information is available from The Salvation Army Fulton Heights Citadel by contacting Capt. Mika Roinila at [email protected].
We thank everyone for their valuable participation this year, and we look forward to Christmas 2022!
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