Dianne Spencer Committee Chair of Rotary's involvement in the 2023 Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign. Based on the media reports the goal of $365,000 was exceeded, todate at close to $373,000 and will grow when online donations are included. Dianne pointed out that District Governor John Burns volunteered with the Kettle Campaign at the LCBO in Bowmanville and shared a photo of himself in his most recent newsletter. Dianne was happy to share some numbers from the Rotary Club of Belleville and our help with the Kettle Campaign during December 2023 at the LCBO location near the Quinte Mall. There were 96 shifts to fill at that location, and thanks to Rotarian Kerry Paul a signup schedule was set up on Club Runner, which worked well for Rotarians and others to access too. Nineteen members of the Rotary Club of Belleville as well as one retired member and four members of Stirling Rotary Club signed up for 65 shifts or 2/3rds of the shifts available. We were joined by another five friends and family of Rotarians who covered another 15 shifts, so in total 29 people collectively covered 80 shifts or 83% of the time available. This was a huge support to the Salvation Army who were able to fill many of their remaining spaces. I should also mention that another four Rotarians signed up but had to change their plans because of personal circumstances.
A number of Rotarians served multiple shifts in order to achieve this result and I want to give a special shout out to fellow committee member Nadine Langlois, who covered at least 13 shifts - awesome! Jamie Trudeau (in the photo) covered at least nine shifts, and Karen Baker, Vince Lynch, and Sharon McConnell each had at least five shifts. Sharon’s son Ruben, covered three shifts. These are just outstanding efforts by outstanding people - thank you to everyone for your support!
The Salvation Army acknowledges the incredible accomplishment and participation by the Rotary Club of Belleville and thanked everyone for giving of their time to help make a difference in the City of Belleville. The alignment of the Kettle Campaign’s theme “Hope Beyond Christmas” with the Rotary theme “Create Hope in the World”, makes our involvement and the wonderful result something we should be proud of. Dianne contributed $50 Happy Bucks.
The Salvation Army is hosting a Kettle Appreciation Dinner on Friday, January 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church on Bridge Street West. Everyone who volunteered on the kettle are invited. Please let Nadine Langlois know if you are able and wish to attend. An opportunity for a sincere thank you to all.