To the Editor:

I want to thank all of the volunteers that helped coordinate the bell ringers, set up each kettle stand, and rang the bell for the Salvation Army during our Red Kettle Collection these past two weeks. The weather and COVID added some obstacles, but volunteers really stepped up to help with our “ring the bell” campaign.

We did not do as well as in prior years due to limited locations, but we attribute any success this year to the volunteers and the donors.

I would like to express my gratitude to the store managers and owners of Stop & Shop, Bottle Stop, The General Store, and Bagel Delight. These generous organizations allowed our kettles to be set up at their businesses during this critical time for so many of our friends in town. Thank you, also, to all of the donors that took the time to stop and say hello, smile, and drop whatever they could into each kettle.

We would love to have local businesses participate in the Red Kettle Collection this year to help recover some of the money that we could not collect. If you own a business and can help, please send your donations to the “Salvation Army Red Kettle Collection 2020,” c/o Newtown Social Services Department, 28 Trades Lane, Newtown CT 06470. It all adds up and is greatly appreciated. The money that we collect directly benefits Newtown families by providing heat, gas, food, rent, and mortgage funds, and we could not do it without all of your efforts. This year we again say thank you for helping. Your generous giving of your time and resources helps all of us lead better lives.

Glenn Nanavaty

President of the Salvation Army Newtown-Bethel Unit

104 Boggs Hill Road, Newtown December 18, 2020