KETTLE KICKOFF LUNCHEON
What: A luncheon to kickoff the Salvation Army’s holiday season bell ringing and donation collections
When: 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19
Where: Assyrian American Club of Turlock, 2618 N. Golden State Blvd., Turlock
Tickets: $20 for a single seat, or $175 for a table of 10. Call 667-6091 for more information.
REALTORS CANTREE BREAKFAST
What: A pancake breakfast and live and silent auctions
When: 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4
Where: War Memorial, 247 E. Canal Dr., Turlock
Tickets: $5 available in advance or at the door. Call 858-1700 for ticket purchases or questions.
TURLOCK TOGETHER
Volunteer: Those interested in volunteering through Turlock Together or businesses interested in being a food and toy collection site can contact Lissette Maunakea at 667-6091.
Get help: Families interested in receiving Christmas baskets and toys can register at the Salvation Army Social Services from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday from Dec. 2 to 13. The Salvation Army is located at 893 Lander Ave.
The holiday season often stirs a sense of both gratefulness and generosity in communities across the country and Turlock is no exception. Year after year Turlock community members have donated time and efforts to provide for those less fortunate, and this year veteran and novel volunteers alike have abundant opportunities to give time and donations to various causes.
The Salvation Army is hosting its biggest annual event , the "Kettle Kickoff” luncheon, on Nov. 19. The proceeds from the luncheon fortifies the organization until the following June and are reintegrated into the Salvation Army to help run the community center and other services. The “Kettle Kickoff” raises about $38,000 annually, and the past few years the Salvation Army has been endowed with a $50,000 anonymous donation.
“The Kettle Kickoff is like a big pep rally for adults to kick off the bell ringing season,” said Kathy Wells of the Salvation Army.
Following the luncheon, the iconic red kettles are disbursed around the community and can be found in about 13 store fronts in the area until Christmas Eve. The bell ringers are often volunteers, though a few are paid workers. In past years the kettles have raised about $60,000 through the season.
The Salvation Army also helps coordinate the Turlock Together efforts. Turlock Together is a conglomerate of local businesses, churches, nonprofits, and organizations that join together to provide for the less fortunate during the holiday season. The Salvation Army distributes the event's signature large blue barrels to participating schools and businesses for the collection of non-perishable food items and new toys. These collections are stored at the Turlock Fruit Company and then sorted through in December before they are distributed to eligible families. Each family gets two boxes of food and a new toy for each child on Dec. 21.
The Central Valley Association of Realtors has contributed significantly to Turlock Together’s efforts since 1982 through its annual Christmas CanTree fundraiser. The organization’s mission is to overcome hunger in a community-wide effort to help those in need. Local families benefit from 100 percent of the proceeds, and this year the organization aims to fill 2,000 baskets for local families and seniors in the Turlock, Denair, Deli, Hilmar, Keyes and Stevinson area. Shelly Bell of PMZ, this year’s Christmas CanTree Committee chair, will be participating for her third year and noted that everyone consistently digs deep to contribute.
“I really like that everyone pitches in and does what they have to do to help provide for these families,” said Bell.
