To the Editor:

It is with a great deal of gratitude that the Newtown Service Unit of the Salvation Army wishes to thank all the former and new volunteers who rang the kettle bells these past two weekends. You wonderful people came out in cold, windy and snowy weather and did your ringing and greeting as in the past and in good humor.

Through all your efforts, Newtown will receive 90% of $8,179 to assist the residents of our town through the food pantry, gasoline, doctors/dentists, bills, etc. What a blessing this is for all of us!

The following businesses once again gave permission for our kettles to be placed on their properties: Yankee Wine & Discount Liquor, Dunkin’ Donuts, Walgreens, Stop & Shop (both doors). You are very special to the Salvation Army and we thank you. Of course, how can we not thank The Newtown Bee for its usual wonderful coverage of these activities.

The volunteers are too numerous to mention but you all know who  are and we thank you and look forward to your participation again in 2014!

Thank you also to the Newtown Lions Club and Taunton Press for their annual donations to this drive.

A special thank you to Anna Wiedemann and Steve Bennett who chaired this project and kept everyone organized. This is no small task and one we recognize as very important.

To all who put their change, dollar bills – large or small in the kettles, and those who  sent checks, we also thank you.

Marie Sturdevant

Secretary, Newtown Service Unit of the Salvation Army

36 Hearthstone Drive, Brookfield                December 18th, 2013