Today marks effective start of the Christmas shopping season — with “Black Friday” putting fuel to fire.
With special appreciation for those putting shoe leather to pavement in search of best deals available right here at home thanks to brick-and-mortar offerings, this is an additionally good time to remind our community that Red Kettles have returned as well. [1]
Last week, our own Salvation Army of Washtenaw County once again partnered with Briarwood Mall to launch its “Hope Marches On Kettle Kickoff,” 2021. Materials from the organizers emphasized “the challenges people in our community continue to face due to the pandemic and how we can rally together to offer hope to those in need. [2-6]
The 2021 Red Kettle kickoff will bring The Salvation Army’s iconic kettles to Washtenaw County street corners and storefronts through December 24. Donors can also ring a virtual Red Kettle online …, donate by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text the word ‘GIFT’ to 24365 to make a donation to the Red Kettle Campaign. [7]
The goal this year is to raise $150,000 through Washtenaw County Red Kettles, to support Washtenaw County families in need.
Additionally, their annual “Angel Tree” program is underway, by special arrangements in the commons area near the inside Briarwood Mall entry to JC Penney’s. “This initiative allows community members to select an angel tag with a local child’s age, gender, size and suggested items. Donations can be brought to California Pizza Kitchen, located inside Briarwood Mall or to the Salvation Army at 100 Arbana Drive in Ann Arbor.”
For those who like to have their giving appeals spiced with a dash of competition, Major Brian Goodwill, with Salvation Army of Washtenaw County announced a “Beat Hunger, Beat the Buckeyes” challenge during the November 17 kickoff event.
Official details have been provided as follows. “The Salvation Army of Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County) has been challenged by The Salvation Army of Central Ohio to bring you the Beat Hunger, Beat the Buckeyes Challenge!
This year marks the inaugural ‘Beat Hunger’ Giving Challenge between The Salvation Army of Central Ohio and The Salvation Army in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Donate in support of Washtenaw County families in need and help us hand OSU their second loss on gameday. Let’s prove who truly has the most philanthropic fans! The headquarters with the highest single kettle total will be declared the winner.
It’s time to step up to the challenge and show that state to the south what it means to be a winner!
With less than a month now to Christmas Eve, this Black Friday is a perfect opportunity to help those less fortunate in our community move that much closer to themselves getting into the black — one Red Kettle contribution at a time.
References
- “Red Kettle History” The Salvation Army USA.
- Salvation Army (home page).
- Washtenaw County Salvation Army (home page).
- Briarwood Mall (home page).
- “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)” CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- “Novel Coronavirus Reports” CDC.
- “When you give, hope marches on” (virtual Red Kettle online) The Salvation Army.
