Salvation Army Of Southwest New Jersey Kicks Off This Year's Red Kettle Campaign
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Salvation Army of southwest New Jersey kicked off its red kettle campaign for this year's holiday season in Haddonfield Thursday morning.
Salvation Army Major Persi Sanclemente was outside the ACME market ringing her bell and thanking people for their donations as money was put into the iconic red kettle.
"For 126 years bell ringing has become the tradition for the general public to be able to support the Salvation Army. Started in San Francisco trying to feed homeless people. Four million people are served by the Salvation Army now and here in our community we just completed registration of 691 families looking for Thanksgiving and Christmas Assistance. Fifteen hundred children hoping to receive toys from the Salvation Army."
Shopper Cathy Cunningham gave a dollar. She got a gift back -- a bell.
"I believe in the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of the holidays and the Salvation Army is reliable and reputable."
(McDevitt) "And you got a bell."
"Yeah I wasn't expecting a bell!"
Major Sanclemente says they have identified an increasing number of working poor so services are now being fed so families can come after work to receive assistance like from the food pantry open two nights a week. They'll do the same with holiday toys for families in need.
