Salvation Army kettle drive a huge success

From the Friday after Thanksgiving to the day before Christmas, volunteers braved the cold and sometimes inclement weather standing in the entryways of Ronan Harvest Foods, Pablo Family Foods, Wal-Mart and Super One Foods to ring the bell for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. Proceeds from the Kettle Drive go directly to the Helping Hands Fund voucher program, Safe Harbor for lodging, and the Polson Police Department, who write vouchers when the HHF Office is closed. Ninety percent of the funds raised stay in Lake County to help provide food, shelter, gas, utilities, medications, transportation, lodging and meals to the needy. In addition, individuals are helped with more long-term resources.

The drive this year proved to be a real community effort with area businesses, community organizations, non-profits, and churches participating. The 2015 Kettle Drive produced a total of $17,194, which makes it the most successful bell-ringing season yet. The coveted “Bell Trophy” is awarded this year to Polson Community Church for raising $1,958. Honorable mention goes to St. Andrews Episcopal Church for contributing the most volunteer hours, and bringing in $1,401 and the United Methodist Church for the most money raised in one day. It should also be noted that the Kiwanis and Polson High School Key Club together collected $1,321. In Ronan and Pablo, St. Paul Lutheran Church volunteers raised $1,022. Safe Harbor and Faith Lutheran Church also collected substantial amounts of money.