For the eighteenth year in a row, the Salvation Army will ring in the holiday season with its annual Kettle Kick-Off Luncheon fundraiser.
The fundraiser promotes the Salvation Army's bell-ringing season, where volunteers ring bells outside of stores in hopes of donations. But more importantly, the event raises tremendous amounts of money for the Salvation Army in and of itself.
The Kettle Klash sees businesses and organizations field teams which try to fundraise as much money as possible for the Salvation Army. Some teams raise $15,000, or more, prior to the event.
And during the Kettle Kick-Off Luncheon, teams have a Five Minute Fundraising Frenzy, dashing around the room to fill buckets with cash and checks donated by more than 800 business and community leaders in attendance. Last year, the frenzy raised close to $100,000.
“The Army provides a plethora of services and aid to the needy in this community, and it's because of businesses and people like you that it is possible for The Salvation Army to continue helping families in our community,” said Kristin Bettencourt, 2013 Kettle Kick-Off Chairperson.
The Kettle Kick-Off will be keynoted by guest speakers Dave and Christine Long, of Ballico's Hilltop Ranch, Inc. From its modest 1980 founding, Hilltop Ranch, Inc., has become one of the largest privately owned almond processors in the world, handling 30,000 tons of almonds annually and shipping to over 70 countries.
The event will be catered by Neto's Catering.
The 18th annual Kettle Kick-Off Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Assyrian American Civic Club, 2618 N. Golden State Blvd. Tickets are $20, with ten-seat tables available for $175.
To donate, sponsor the event or purchase tickets or a table for the Kettle Kick-Off, e-mail kbettencourt@yahoo.com, call (209) 815-3731, or mail a check payable to The Salvation Army-Kettle Kick-Off/Turlock to The Salvation Army, Attn: Kathy Wells, 893 Lander Ave., Turlock, CA 95380.
