Volunteers with The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign start this weekend

The 51-year-old Bay City woman now is raising her grandchildren alone without a vehicle and battling cancer.

The Red Kettle Christmas campaign, the Salvation Army’s most prominent fund-raiser, first started in 1891 in San Francisco, according to the organization’s website.

It’s Thanksgiving day and John Wyatt said for him, it’s more than a day of thanks.

For the last 36 years the Western Slope Salvation Army has held a dinner for local residents who may not have had the opportunity for a Thanksgiving dinner otherwise.

“We are so very thankful for the support of the community”, Capt. Whitney said.

“They range anywhere from people who are staying in our homeless shelter with us, to people who don’t have any family around.so there’s people coming in from all over”, said Binnix.

The officer in charge of the Guam branch of the Salvation Army, Captain Michael Lutcher, knows all too well what’s it’s like to be down on your luck. “So we’re not able to serve 3,000 meals out of our present kitchen by no means at all”. Why am I out ringing the bells?

“At the end of the day, I get to go home to my loved ones”, said Beaty.

Volunteers opened the doors at 11 and say they went through nearly 250 plates within an hour.

Contributions can also be made on line at donate.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Heimbrock said there are now about a dozen ringers, but there is always a need for more.

A chance to get in the holiday spirit and help needy families, making a difference this Christmas season. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was there serving up dinner and said, “We have given back to the folks in this community”.