Red Kettle Campaign raises money for Chelan Valley Hope

CHELAN - “I’m always amazed how giving, caring and generous people are that live in our community,” said Julie McCoy, Red Kettle Campaign Chairperson. As the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign closed on Christmas Eve, businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals from our community had staffed over 100 shifts at the Kettle.

Ringing of the bells took place at Chelan Safeway, Manson Red Apple, and the Chelan Post Office, raising almost $8,000 for Chelan Valley Hope. Proceeds will help those in need this Holiday Season, providing emergency shelter, food and gas vouchers, warm clothing, assistance with utilities, transportation, and personal essentials, among other things. All proceeds from the Kettle will stay right here in our Valley. 

As always, our community was exceedingly generous. Organizations and businesses that volunteered to staff the Red Kettle included Starbucks, the VFW, American Legion, Manson Kiwanis, the Eagles, Wells Fargo Bank, Chase Bank, the Rotary Club, the Realtors’ Association, and the Roots School. Livingstone Church, Lake Chelan United Methodist Church, Real Life Church, St. Francis Catholic Church, and North Shore Bible Church also provided volunteer ringers, with North Shore Bible Church staffing a whopping 20 shifts and supplying a much-utilized list of back-up ringers. On Wednesday afternoon last week, in only four hours, ringers outside at the Chelan Post Office (from Starbucks and Rotary) brought in over $300. And the final day of ringing at Chelan Safeway brought in almost $600, making it the largest Kettle of the Season.

On behalf of the Salvation Army and Chelan Valley Hope, we offer our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed as organizers, bell ringers, and donors. And a special thanks to Cashmere Valley Bank, which has counted the Kettle proceeds and issued the checks, and to our hosts, Chelan Safeway and Manson Red Apple. It takes a community, but it wouldn’t be Christmas without bell ringers at the Salvation Army Red Kettle.