Community Corner

Shaking 'Em Down For a Good Cause

Heading to Giant Eagle? Bring a few bucks to make this a more-awesome-than-ever Christmas season for CRS and the Salvation Army.

Avon Lake Patch editor Lori E. Switaj and fellow Kiwanian Dave Rickey ring the bell for Community Resource Services and the Salvation Army this past week.

Switaj, who was inducted as Avon Lake Kiwanis first female president in October, reported shoppers at where the Avon Lake red kettle is located, were being generous this year.

Member of CRS, the Kiwanis Club and the high school's Key Club helped "ring the bell" this year. The campaign kicked off on Nov. 15. Donations to the kettle remain in Avon and Avon Lake.

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In Avon Lake, the Kiwanis Club partners with (CRS) and the Salvation Army, ringing the bell each Christmas, encouraging shoppers to drop a donation into a one of the well-known red kettles. Bell ringers all volunteer their time. CRS provides assistance to thousands of individuals and families in Avon and Avon Lake.

"During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome -- funding the project," the Salvation Army website said.

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McFee, a former sailor, recalled Stage Landing, which sported a large, iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot." Passers-by dropped in change. He placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street in with a sign that said "Keep the Pot Boiling." Read the full story of the kettle here.

This year, bell ringers will volunteer thousands of hours across the country and world, raising money to help others in need. Nationally, more than 4.5 million people are helped by the Salvation Army during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.


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