Celebrate the Season Week benefits Salvation Army's local outreach
Sponsored in large part by Wm. Winkler Co., The Salvation Army’s 7th Annual Corporate Kettle Kick-off (CKKO) and Celebrate the Season (CTS) Bash was entertaining and successful.
The CKKO event, which takes place over three days before Thanksgiving, brought many smiles and holiday spirit, as 30 business and college teams rang bells at The Army’s iconic Red Kettles in frigid and mostly rainy weather.
The CKKO week culminated with the CTS Bash which included corporate bell ringers and other guests dressed in their festive attire, a delicious dinner, free photos, Golden Bell awards for Corporate ringers in various categories, a paddle battle, prizes, and a wonderful Salvation Army youth choir.
Dan Monson, the new men’s basketball coach for Eastern Washington University, was the guest speaker and participated in a question-and-answer segment with Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley, divisional commander of the Salvation Army’s Northwest Divisional Headquarters.
An emotional ‘Making Spokane Better’ award was presented posthumously to Carl Lind, a life member of the Spokane Corps’ advisory board. Carl’s widow, Lynne Lind, accepted the award on his behalf from Captains David and Kelly Cain, corps officers of The Salvation Army’s Spokane Corps, and Ken Kraft, advisory board chairman.
When Carl was young, his family was helped by The Salvation Army. His love for The Army began there but grew through The Salvation Army Hallelujah ladies when they served donuts and coffee in Korea during the war.
When the Spokane Corps’ Sally’s House foster care placement program opened, Carl and Lynne decided to focus their donations on this life-saving program.
Deservingly, Carl was a member of the William Booth Society; named after the founder of The Salvation Army.
Other sponsors for this holiday event included SiteOne, Providence, MultiCare, Washington Trust Bank, Central Pre-Mix, Banner Bank, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Delta Dental, United Health Care, Happy Laundry, Mark Robinson, Maryo Fury, and Expect A Lot Signs.
Thanks to our generous Corporate bellringers, sponsors, donors, and CTS guests, The Salvation Army raised $140,339 to help provide many free services and programs to local vulnerable children and families.
Corporate Kettle Kick-Off Participants:
Banner Bank (nine branches), Central Pre-Mix (multiple days), Eastern Washington University, 4 News Now / KXLY TV, Greenstone Corp., Kalispel Tribe of Indians, KREM 2 News, KXLY News (4 News Now) Lamar Advertising of Spokane, nomnom, Shine 104.9 Radio, Site-One (multiple days), Spokane Police Dept., Stephens Media Group, The Spokesman-Review, Whitworth University, and Windermere City Group
Golden Bell Winners:
- Coldest Nose, Warmest Heart Award: SITEONE
The Most Festive Spirit Award: NOMNOM
The Santa’s Snack Award: SHINE 104.9
Holly & Ivy Award: STEPHENS MEDIA GROUP & SPOKANE POLICE DEPT.
The Busiest Bucket Award: CENTRAL PRE-MIX
The Celebrate the Season Award: BANNER BANK