Bell Ringing for Local Families in Need

BELL RINGING FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED

For over twenty years the Hackettstown Kiwanis Family been raising thousands of dollars every holiday season for needy families through its annual bell ringing campaign. This tradition of good cheer for families in need during these tough times. “We are committed to helping those in need all year round and during the holiday season our commitment is stronger than ever,” said Kiwanian Steve Gandley, who first suggested the idea to fellow club members in 1998.

For three weekends every holiday season, Kiwanis Club members along with Hackettstown High School Key Club members team up to ring bells at the entrances to Wal-Mart. All of the money raised during this campaign goes directly to families in need via gift cards from Walmart.

Needy families are identified through school officials from the Hackettstown area. Once identified, the families become the recipients of the gift cards in time for holiday shopping. Since its inception, over $70,000 has been raised by the club. However, one of our retail partners recently changed their corporate policy and no longer allows solicitation of any kind outside their stores. Thankfully Walmart has allowed us to collect outside both their entrances this year but will most likely fall short about $2000 of our seasonal goal.

Please stop by Walmart 8am to 4pm on December 1st, 8th, 9th, and 15th to support this cause. If your schedule does not permit, please consider donating to the Kiwanis Club of Hackettstown Foundation and mailing it to the Kiwanis Club of Hackettstown, P.0. Box 15, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 with Bell Ringing in the memo section.

For more info, please email kiwanisclubofhackettstown@gmaill.com or visit us online at hackettstownkiwanis.portalbuzz.com, like us on facebook or follow us on Instagram. Thank you to the Hackettstown Community who continues to support this endeavor every year!