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Community Corner

Fill Those Kettles

Neighbors helping neighbors

 

Brrrr. The chill has set in, but I don’t think it prevented any of us from having a fabulous weekend.

In fact, I had some real heartwarming experiences Saturday, as I stood outside Crosby’s Marketplace in 41-degree temps  and rang the bell for the Salvation Army kettle collection.

While I stood outside the entrance Saturday, layered in down, fleece and those hand-warmer packet things tucked between two pairs of gloves, I heard so many wonderful comments from dozens of shoppers as they stuffed the kettle with cash. “Thank you,” said one women as she folded a ten dollar bill into the tiny slot, before doing her grocery shopping. “I am a past recipient.”

“You wouldn’t believe what I had buy to get this change,” said a gentleman as he squeezed a roll of singles into the kettle.

The comments went on and on like that, making my hour in the cold a very warm experience. Some shoppers stopped to chat, many thanked me for doing a good thing, when, actually, they are the ones doing good. Catching up with friends while ringing a bell requires very little effort, actually.

After an hour, Anita Tekle, our beloved Town Clerk, swathed in colorful scarves, jacket and her own pair of hand-warmer packet things, (may I shout out a big THANK YOU to whomever invented these?) came to relieve me. She even had her own bell and kettle! Who does she know that I don’t?

I have rung the bell for the Salvation Army around town before — and if you’re a good friend of Pat LeVan’s, you have, too. For years, Pat has been the treasurer of the Concord Unit of the Salvation Amy. She not only helps with collections but with distributing the donations as well.  

A large portion of those nickles, quarters, dollar bills and twenties help our friends and neighbors in Concord and neighboring communities offset heating and other utility bills. You would be amazed at how many households your pocket change has helped survive a bitterly cold winter, lost job, serious illness and what-have-you.

If you believe you could use a little extra financial assistance, you may contact Pat at 978-369-0235. And though the Salvation Army is a Christian organization, money is distributed based solely on need. You do not have to go through a faith detector.

The kettle is set up in Concord typically from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, Pat said, but this year the bell will chime through New Years Day. “The need is there,” she said, adding she is optimistic the Concord collection will exceed its $1,800 budget, even before the extension.

“If people are going to be generous, as they always are in Concord, all the better,” Pat said.

Bucks for bags

Also, when I first started ringing on Saturday, Emma and Julie of the CCHS girls ice hockey team were also outside seeking donations. The girls are helping their team collect money for equipment bags and other gear for a successful season. I love that CCHS has such a great girls ice hockey team.

Coming up

Stay tuned Wednesday for a piece on a new spin on CSAs.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As promised, here is the 8th of the top 10 reasons we need to frequent our local merchants, also known as the Concord Indies:

8. Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers — which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

That is so true. Our local merchants know the value of this community and are mindful of preserving its natural resources.

 

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Do you have something to share? Contact me at mcb23@comcast.net or Stefanie at stefanieac@comcast.net and we will be happy to help you spread the word. Also, follow us on Twitter, @cosmo1162 and @stefanie3131.

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