It's such a wonderful, festive-season event and once again, our club has contributed more-than-its-fair share to the Salvation Army Kettle program. Once again, our organizer (Joanne Kiefer - see the frozen version at the photo!) worked with the Salvation Army coordinator (Doug Montgomery) to get us all involved at the collection points in Simcoe and Port Dover. She writes in the following note as results from our contributions;Neither rain, nor snow, nor blizzard like conditions shall keep a Rotarian from their appointed kettle shift. And what a crazy four weeks of weather it was, particularly the last couple of days. This season our club covered approximately 44 shifts for a total of 88 hours of volunteer service. These hours assisted the Salvation Army in the preliminary total of $280,000 (as of Dec 22 – a few more kettles to add in and maybe some mail in or drop off donations yet to come). While the goal of $310.000 may not be met this year the drive was very successful considering the blizzard like conditions that hampered the last couple days of giving. Strangely, Doug Montgomery Kettle Coordinator stated while the Pandemic did not have many upsides, charities saw an increase in giving during the past few years. I would like to thank all Rotarians for the giving of your time during a very busy personal season for all of you. In addition, I pass on from Doug the following message, “Hats off to your club, all the best in 2023.” I look forward to the ringing of bells with all of you again next year!
