THE SALVATION ARMY of Shiawassee County kicked off its Red Kettle fundraising campaign at Walmart in Caledonia Township on Saturday, Nov. 4, with Rep. Ben Frederick ringing the bell to officially start the season. Also contributing to the event was the Owosso Citadel Brass Band, which is comprised of Owosso-area students. The band, which featured six coronet players, two percussionists, one trombone player, and band master Cinta Basso on baritone, played festive numbers such as “Christmas Debut,” “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Jingle Bells.” Rep. Frederick noted that he looks forward to the Red Kettle kick-off as the official start of the holiday season in Owosso every year.
Lieutenant Jonathon Tamayo of the Owosso Citadel has set a goal of $55,000 to be raised during this Red Kettle fundraising season, which will be used to fund the organization’s many charitable programs for the upcoming year. In 2016, the Salvation Army of Shiawassee County served 6,184 meals from its kitchen at the Owosso Citadel, provided assistance to 4,300 county residents, distributed 10,039 toys to 1,100 local children, and provided groceries to 701 families. It should also be noted that all funds raised during the Red Kettle drive will stay in Shiawassee County.
Donation kettles can currently be found at Kroger in Owosso, the Owosso Post Office, Save-A-Lot in Corunna, and JCPenney. Beginning after Thanksgiving, kettles will be located at Walmart and Walgreens, and for the first week of December, a kettle will be found at Carl’s Super Market in Perry.
Also, the Salvation Army is still looking for bell ringing volunteers to work two-hour shifts this holiday season. Interested individuals can sign up at www.salarmyowosso.org.
(Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
