Matching Sponsors to Give Kettles a Boost This Holiday Season
2012 Kettle Matching Sponsors to Help Increase Giving For Local Salvation Army
Kalamazoo, MI November 16, 2012
Today, November 16th, 2012, The Salvation Army in Kalamazoo will officially kick off its annual Red Kettle Campaign with a new bell ringing twist, Kettle Matching Sponsorships. When you make a contribution to the kettles, a portion of your gift is being matched. Several companies here in our community have generously said “yes” to helping The Salvation Army ensure the Red Kettle Campaign remains strong this year, agreeing to partially match donations to the Red Kettles. “Not only will you brighten the holidays for a family, your gift will be partially matched, allowing us to assist even more families. “,said Major Keith Welch, Kalamazoo Corps Officer.
Since October 1st, hundreds of families have visited our local Salvation Army to sign up for Holiday Assistance. An estimated 2,000 families will sign up for some extra help between October 1st and November 30th and the Red Kettles enable us to make life a bit easier for struggling families and seniors here in our community. Holiday programs include: vouchers for coats, Thanksgiving & Christmas Food Baskets, Food vouchers for seniors and toys for an estimated 4,000 kids in Kalamazoo County. Holiday giving also enables The Salvation Army to provide Emergency Utility Assistance to keep families in their homes, provide food, clothing and other basic assistance and we also have an active Community Center and gym, which provides for mentoring and character building for youth and young adults.
Locally The Salvation Army has set a Red Kettle goal this year of $525,000, a 5% increase over last year, reflecting the increased need. The annual Kettle campaign and Christmas Appeal is the organizations single largest fundraiser and supports The Salvation Army in providing basic need assistance programs and services for all ages not only during the holidays but throughout the year. “We humbly ask that everyone in our community share the true spirit of giving during the holiday season by making a donation at any of our 25 red kettles. We appreciate the trust of a generous community and we will continue to uphold our promise to “DO THE MOST GOOD” in caring for our friends and neighbors here in Kalamazoo County,” said Major Welch. “Merry Christmas and may we all have a safe and happy holiday.”
When visiting your favorite retailer this year, be sure to say thank you to the many local bell ringing heroes who face the elements to make sure we have a great Red Kettle Campaign. It can be a very cold experience but most will tell you that it is an annual tradition and that they keep warm knowing they are making a difference. It takes an estimated 3,500 volunteers, each ringing for 2 hours, to cover all of the kettle locations during the holiday. Unmanned kettles are empty kettles. Please help us make sure we have the volunteers to cover all the kettles this year by contacting our Kettle Hotline today at (269) 743-0834 t0 schedule a date and time that works best for you. Individuals, families and groups are all welcome. Ring a bell this holiday, begin a new holiday tradition and help those in need.
For those that wish to make a donation on-line, please visit www.tsakalamazoo.org and click the “DONATE NOW” button or contact your local Salvation Army at (269) 344-6119 for more options. You may also mail a check to The Salvation Army at 1700 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
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