Almost $75,000 raised during Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive
Pictured above are some of the 150 volunteers who rang the bell during the 2023 Red Kettle Drive.
From Special Reports
The Salvation Army of Newnan has announced it has met and exceeded their fundraising goal and raised $74,983.83 during this year’s Red Kettle Drive!
Over 150 volunteers rang the bell in Coweta County between November 1st and December 23rd for a total of 1111.5 volunteer hours.
“We are so appreciative of our amazing bell ringing volunteers,” said Jennifer Petrino, Red Kettle Coordinator. “They were out in all kinds of weather, including the rain, wind, and cold, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their dedication.”
Dedication is shown by many bell ringers, but especially by the White Oak Golden K Kiwanis Club, who rang from 9-5 every day at Walmart and together raised a total of $19,060.31. Golden K member Terry Schroeder is once again the Top Bell Ringer. His favorite spot is Kroger on Lower Fayetteville Road.
“Terry raised an amazing $8,031.42 over 116 hours of bell ringing this year,” said Heather Durham, Director of The Salvation Army of Newnan Service Center. “He has been our top bell ringer for many years now. Golden K Member Don Simmons also gets an honorable mention for raising $4,737.42 over 42 hours of ringing and for being the most joyful ringer!”
Many other groups and organizations participated this year.
Newnan High’s Ambassadors rang for 34 hours at Dillard’s and their SADD Club rang at Newnan Market Day. Sonrise Baptist Church rang all day on two different Saturdays. Heatherwood Baptist Church and St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church also participated. Students from Madras Middle School, East Coweta, Newnan, Heritage and Northgate high schools all got involved. Scout Troop 50 rang for 6 hours at Hobby Lobby and Hoping Forward, a group for adults with developmental disabilities, raised over $500 in their 6 hours of ringing.
“We even had a Corvette Club and a large group from a school in Fayetteville that came and rang for us,” Petrino said. “It’s such a joy to see young people getting involved and helping their community.”.
The funds raised during the Red Kettle Drive help the Newnan Service Center provide support to Coweta County families all year long. They operate a food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, providing food to 20-25 families each week. Every summer, they sponsor 12-15 children to attend The Salvation Army summer camp program at Camp Grandview in Jasper. Each month, they help between 10-15 families with emergency financial assistance. That could mean helping pay for critical medications, or helping families make utility or rent payments to keep the lights on and a roof over their heads.
The Newnan Service Center also has a Disaster Relief Canteen truck that deploys to areas that have been hit by natural disasters. And there are a lot of other ways the Newnan Service Center supports the needy in our community, from laundry and clothing vouchers, to helping those who need to perform community service, to organizing an Angel Tree each Christmas and so much more.
“We would just like to say Thank You,” said Durham. “Thank you to our bell ringers, but also thank you to the very generous donors of Coweta County, who selflessly dropped their pocket change, paper money and even checks into the Red Kettles this year. Every single penny makes a difference and your generosity will help us continue to Do The Most Good in 2024.”
To learn more about all that the The Salvation Army of Newnan does for the community and to see volunteer opportunities that are available all year long, please follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TSANewnan.
Pictured above is Harold Joyner, age 90. He volunteered every Mon, Wed, Fri at Hobby Lobby from November 8th through the 22nd for a total of 51 hours. He played the guitar and raised over $3,000.
Pictured above is Mary Tinney. She was a regular ringer at Kroger Thomas Crossroads, Walmart Grocery entrance and Hobby Lobby. She said ringing the bell has been a very rewarding experience.
Pictured is the Haskins family. They have volunteered for many years as bell ringers.
Pictured above is Kate Wells. It was her first time ringing!
Pictured is Grantville Mayor Richard Proctor. He volunteers with Kiwanis.
