News>FHR participates in Red Kettle Christmas Campaign
FHR participates in Red Kettle Christmas Campaign
Members and staff make the most of charitable opportunities this holiday season
Contributed by: Erika Sloan, Public Relations/Web Content Coordinator
FHR Delaware staff member Jennifer Amall and her son volunteered as bell-ringers at the K-Mart in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
December 14, 2011 –Individuals from Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR) can be found ringing bells for the Salvation Army at local grocery stores and shopping malls during this holiday season.
As part of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, FHR members from many different states have been participating in this event. “The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign raises funds for the Salvation Army to support the millions of people in poverty who turn to this organization for food and toys at Christmas,” says FHR President/CEO Joe Dziobek. “The Salvation Army advertises for volunteer groups to participate in the bell ringing, and FHR representatives signed up in many different communities to promote the spirit of the season.”
Participation with the Salvation Army is occurring in FHR Programs in the upper, mid, and lower Cape. Vocational Director Kathryn Hall at Plymouth Bay Clubhouse says that clubhouse members have been ringing bells with the Salvation Army since 2008. “We have had about nine members employed seasonally,” Hall said. “Our local branch has been very welcoming to our members and works hard to schedule them according to their own personal preferences. It’s an activity that we have been participating in and enjoy each year.”
Members at Fairwinds Clubhouse have also been making the most of this opportunity. Since the beginning of the month, clubhouse members and staff have been ringing bells at twelve different locations, such as Wal-Mart, Shaw’s, CVS, and Roche Brothers. “We’ve been volunteering from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and some members even work 12-hour days! We really appreciate the chance to spread some holiday cheer,” said Fairwinds Clubhouse Director Tom Couhig.
Mental Health Assistant Patricia Goodin spreading some holiday cheer with FHR Maine.
On Wednesday, December 7, five FHR staff members spent the day ringing bells at local shopping malls in Bangor, ME. “It’s just a little something extra that we can do that falls close to our hearts. We encourage everyone at FHR Maine to give back to the community during the holiday season,” said Day Program Coordinator Sherri Grant.
In Delaware, FHR members and staff volunteered to ring bells at the K-Mart in Rehoboth Beach on December 2. “We worked from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in shifts,” said Director of Program Services Laura Marvel. “It was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to give back to the local community.”
Funds raised during the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enable the Salvation Army to provide food, toys, and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season. Relief efforts also benefit those recovering from different kinds of personal disasters nationwide.
“Several individuals that we serve have been working as bell-ringers,” says New Bedford Rehab and Recovery Group Program Coordinator Jennifer Lima. “They work for four hours, five days per week and really seem to enjoy it.”
Dziobek expressed his pride in all of FHR this holiday season. “It’s very heartening to see many of our employees and the people we serve giving of their own time to help others in need.”
For more information about volunteer opportunities with the Salvation Army in your community, visit http://www.ringbells.org/.