Last Friday, an unusual donation was dropped into the Salvation Army kettle at the Dave’s County Market location. A check for $15,000 was donated by a person who wishes to remain anonymous.
Before receiving the generous donation, the Salvation Army of Merrill had collected $17,000 of its $39,000 goal. Included with the check was a note that stated, “I pray that with the Grace of God you can double this by the end of the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Period. Thank you.”
“We later discovered that the donor would also like to make sure the community understands how the Salvation Army works with St. Vincent de Paul in Merrill,” noted Red Kettle Campaign Chairperson Sharon Anderson.
All funds that are raised in Merrill during the kettle campaign stay in Merrill and are distributed through St. Vincent de Paul. Donations are used to either help homeless people or to help prevent people from becoming homeless. This is accomplished through paying a deposit on an apartment, setting up an apartment, helping with rent, paying a utility bill, etc. In the last 10 months, 130 individuals or families have reached the help they desperately needed through the joint assistance provided by St. Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army.
To join the cause, donate at the kettle or send a check to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 614, Merrill, WI 54452.
The last day of ringing this year is Saturday, Dec. 23.
“Please also thank the ringers (who are all volunteers) when you see them stationed at our kettles,” Anderson said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have a Red Kettle Campaign!”