Annual Christmas Kickoff Celebration at SC State House

The Salvation Army of the Midlands held its Annual Christmas Kickoff Celebration at the South Carolina State House on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Thanks to all participants for your important contributions. The event would not have been the same without you!

Thanks to WOLO, WLTX and WACH for your television coverage!

Thanks to the Krispy Kreme in Cayce for donating dozens of delicious glazed doughnuts!

Thanks to The Salvation Army staff, church members and advisory board members for your wonderful teamwork!

Below are photos from the day's event.


View from behind the speaker's chairs before kickoff



Major Richard L. Jones, Area Coordinator, The Salvation Army of the Midlands, and our distinguished panel of speakers

The Honorable Steve Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, gives a call to care for the needy in our community.

Steve Anastasion, Chairman, Salvation Army Advisory Board, provides a grand welcome.

Terry Povey, Chairwoman, Salvation Army Christmas Committee, shares the history of the Red Kettle Campaign.

 A Salvation Army Brass Ensemble made up of musicians from throughout the North and South Carolina Division plays familiar Christmas tunes.

 Staff Sgt Timothy Mayberry shares information about Toys for Tots and its working relationship with The Salvation Army.

The Heathwood Hall Concert Choir, led by Janis Corley, Choral Director, sings a couple of numbers.

Fenton Overdyke, Vice Chairman, Salvation Army Advisory Board, thanks special partners in the community for their support of The Salvation Army's Christmas programs.

Pastor Paul Pingel from Ebenezer Lutheran Church offers a closing prayer.

Thanks again to everyone who supported the kickoff event!





Red Kettle Kickoff at Columbia Rotary Club meeting-11.1.2010

Captain Kettle at the Columbia Rotary Club meeting

Just a day after Halloween, Salvation Army of the Midlands representatives attended the Columbia Rotary Club meeting held on November 1 at 1:00 PM at Seawell's Banquet and Reception Center on Rosewood Drive to invite and encourage rotarians to Ring the Bell for The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign.

The Columbia Rotary Club has committed to fill 200 shifts spanning five kettle sites which include Green's on Assembly Street, Green's on Fernandina Road, Piggly Wiggly on Forest Drive and Walmart on Forest Drive.

Salvation Army representatives attended the meeting and displayed boards representing the available shifts. Rotarians were given the chance to place a business card on the boards to register to Ring the Bell.

Pictured below is a smiling Columbia Rotary Club member placing her business card on the board for Green's on Assembly Street.

During the lunchtime meeting, JT Gandolfo, Salvation Army of the Midlands advisory board member and Columbia Rotary Club member, called for 100% participation of the Columbia Rotary Club to Ring the Bell this Christmas season. He also showed a creative and humorous short film, in which he starred, about what would have happened if people didn't step up when called upon. Noah from the Bible, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars and Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger were three examples featured in the film.

Below is a photo from the meeting, taken as the film played to a captive audience.

Salvation Army representatives will attend Columbia Rotary Club meetings for the next several weeks to continue recruitment.

Thanks to all of the rotarians who have already committed to Ring the Bell!

And for those who have yet to commit to Ring the Bell, we look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks!

The Salvation Army of the Midlands is grateful for the support of the Columbia Rotary Club.