The Rotary Club of the Abingtons will once again collect money for the many needs of the Salvation Army. For about 50 years, we have donned our warm clothes, braved any weather and taken two-hour shifts on December weekends, asking for donations. You will see us at the Pennsylvania Liquor Store on Routes 6 and 11, as we stand beside the Salvation Army’s red kettle.
Our club holds the unique distinction of having raised more money for the Salvation Army than any other service club in the United States. And you, the giver, did that.
The red kettle campaign began 125 years ago in San Francisco. It has been the main fund raiser for the Salvation Army since then. Their mission is clear: to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care for those in need. All the money we raise stays in our own locale.
The Scranton-based Salvation Army Center is one of 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. These include food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts and children’s programs. Our usual contribution, given in January to the Commander of the Salvation Army, is about $10,000.
We are a generous nation and we are an especially generous community. When we give our hard earned money away, taking from ourselves and giving it to others, we like to know it is going where the need actually is. Too many times generosity has been misused, but not so with the Salvation Army. While other charitable organizations have CEOs whose annual salary is a half million dollars, the head of the Salvation Army receives a modest house to live in and a salary of only $13,000.
We are organized these many years by Rotarians Gail Cicerini and Diane Calabro. Gail sets up the arrangements with the Liquor Store and the Rotarians. Diane makes many trips to the kettle post to empty the money and take it to the bank.
Pictured here are two Rotarians who have been at almost every one of the kettle collections these 50 years. Rotarian Nelson Connell rang the bell for two hours and then was relieved by Rotarian Harry Mumford. They are both dressed for the outside temperature of 30 degrees. Standing on cold concrete for that long is tiring. These two Rotarians, like all the rest of us, never complain about the discomfort of collecting. Instead we smile, thank the giver for such generosity and wish each person a Merry Christmas.
When you hear the sound of the little bell, draw near the red kettle. Drop in whatever money you can. Who knows what good your contribution can do when it is placed where it is needed for the love of humanity?
