This was a very challenging year for the Sandy Creek-Lacona Red Kettle campaign due to limited ringing days and volunteers as the result of widespread illness in the area.

The campaign was successful this year due to the generous donations from the community through the Coterie Club’s Memory Wreath program. The local Red Kettle campaign was the recipient of these donations, and that helped offset the decrease in funds collected at the Red Kettle.

In addition to previous donations made to the community, the funds raised during the 2011 Red Kettle campaign were used during the 2012 holiday season to purchase 176 turkeys for the Christmas baskets distributed by the Friendship Shoppe and by the Redfield Food Pantry, and we also assisted one family with food and one with a fuel purchase.

The money raised through the 2012 Red Kettle project will be available to aid community members and may also generate additional funds through grants.

A special thanks to all of you who so generously reached into your pockets and your hearts to help others. This is a wonderful community to live in.

Jackie Gregg

Lacona

The writer is the Red Kettle coordinator in the Sandy Creek-Lacona area.

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