December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing - The Bell, The Kettle & The Angel Tree

The Bell, The Kettle & The Angel Tree

I shop at a Bashas supermarket, (a local chain), in the Paradise Palms area a couple of times a week on my way home from this or that and each year beginning around Thanksgiving you see the volunteers sitting beside the red kettle just outside the entrance ringing a hand bell.

They never speak unless spoken to, they never get in your way or walk up and solicit a donation the way other organizations do, but they are there everyday right up to Christmas. They are marathoners not sprinters. I cannot adequately express how much I admire them and the work they do. So many struggling families receive assistance from the donations they take in during this 45 day window.

The other holiday program they offer is the "Christmas Angel Tree" program, started in 1986, it gives individuals, families or businesses the opportunity to purchase a gift or gifts for a specific child. Many malls and J.C.Penney stores in the Phoenix Metro area are involved with this wonderful program. Look for the "Christmas Angel Tree" when you're shopping this year and make Christmas special for a child in need.

For more information on how you can participate in the Phoenix area contact:

Salvation Army 2707 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008 or call 800-728-7825. You can also visit salvationarmyusa.org