When you pass that poor sucker standing in the cold ringing a bell, you know it. Christmastime is here. You might ignore the signals from the stores, heck, they put up the garland in August. You might wait for a frost or some snow, but in Alaska that can happen in August, too. But that person, outside the grocery store or in the mall, with that little red kettle and the annoying little bell, well there's no getting around that. 'Tis the season.
This year, I'm not just walking past that little red kettle. I've got this online Red Kettle, and I hope you'll pause here with me.
The Salvation Army does some incredible work. Here in Alaska, they provide drug and alcohol rehab programs for pennies on the dollar through the Clitheroe Center and transitional housing through Eagle Crest; the Booth Memorial programs provide residential treatment for adolescent girls in crisis; the McKinnel House provides shelter for single fathers and two-parent families; and, meals on wheels is just one of many programs to care for our elders.
The work the Salvation Army does is incredibly important, and it ain't cheap. In an effort to help the most vulnerable in our community, I'm hoping to raise at least $3,000 towards programs that work.
Thank you for joining me.
-Ben