Red Kettle drive in Orleans County raised $12K during holidays

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Katrina Chaffee, director of community services and reporting at Community Action, has announced a very successful campaign for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive in Orleans County. (Right) Two of the volunteers who rang the bell for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive this year were Jim Wells, left, and Dave Wells, on behalf of the American Legion in Medina.

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee has announced the conclusion of one of the most successful Red Kettle campaigns in recent years.

Community Action has run the Red Kettle holiday drive associated with The Salvation Army for many years in Orleans County, according to Katrina Chaffee, director of Community Services and Reporting at Community Action, who coordinated the Red Kettle drive.

While the length of the drive and available locations to set up have decreased, the Red Kettle campaign this year raised a near-record $12,328, which will be shared by Community Action and the Ministry of Concern. A portion of the money funds summer camp for children, while the rest is used by the two agencies for emergency services, Chaffee said.

Chaffee thanks all the volunteers who rang bells and to Tops in Albion and Medina, and Walmart in Albion which allowed the bell ringers to set up at their businesses.

In former years, the Red Kettle campaign began the day before Thanksgiving, but this year it began Dec. 7. This year’s total bests last year’s $9,732 and is the highest since pre-Covid.

Chaffee added she has just received permission from The Salvation Army to use some of the Red Kettle money to purchase food for the new Warming Center recently opened at Christ Church in Albion, while the Ministry of Concern has received approval to use some of their share to purchase hygiene products. Since the Warming Center opened, four individuals have used it for multiple days, according to Nyla Gaylord, director of United Way of Orleans County, who worked on the committee to establish a warming center.

Community Action has also announced a very busy holiday season, with a high number of families assisted with Christmas gifts and dinner.

In 2022, 187 children received gifts from Community Action and 348 individuals were adopted by an outside organization. Holiday meal boxes were provided to 647 individuals. In 2023, those numbers rose to 341 children who received gifts, 368 individuals adopted by outside organizations and 752 individuals who received a holiday meal box.

“We are grateful to have the honor of helping families have brighter holidays,” said Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “Each year during the holiday season, Community Action is buzzing with activity. The team pulls together in so many ways, like bell ringing, collecting toys, distributing food baskets and so much more. I am proud of our team and their commitment to the communities that we serve.”

Chaffee also added her thanks to all the agencies who adopted individuals, and to those who donated food and cash.