CAMAS — The Camas-Washougal Salvation Military kicked off its annual fundraising season with a kick — or a move.
The second annual Pink Kettle Kickoff on Nov. 25 at Camas Excessive College’s Carden Discipline pitted groups made up of soccer gamers and workers members from Camas and Washougal excessive colleges, in addition to Camas Metropolis Councilman Tim Hein and Washougal Mayor David Stuebe. The groups competed in opposition to one another passing or kicking probably the most footballs right into a pink kettle — with a trophy going to the profitable squad.
The Camas workforce eked out a 17-13 victory, avenging its loss on the inaugural occasion at Fishback Stadium in Washougal in 2023.
“I would say the MVP was Tim Hein. He scored the most points out of any player. He was a really good sport, but everybody was a great sport,” Salvation Military corps officer Samantha Wheeler stated.
The Salvation Military needs to make it simple for residents to take part in its annual fundraising marketing campaign this 12 months with a wide range of occasions and fundraisers.
“People want to give back, and they want to do it in a way that is meaningful to them. If people play an instrument, they want to give back and play their instrument,” Wheeler stated. “If they play football, they want to give back and do it while playing football. We’re just trying to find different ways for people to connect with their community.”
The Salvation Military launched the Pink Kettle Kickoff in 2023 to lift consciousness for its annual Pink Kettle marketing campaign, which raises funds for social companies corresponding to meals, shelter, catastrophe help and habit restoration packages.
The Camas-Washougal Salvation Military raised $75,000 in 2023 and hopes to generate at the least $80,000 this winter, in line with Salvation Military corps assistant and finance director Jessica Wheeler.
The nonprofit is utilizing social media to interact neighborhood members in inventive methods, together with a recreation known as “Where’s Tonette?” with volunteer Tonette Candy.
“Every day that she’s out, she usually stands at two or three different locations, and we’ll post clues every day on social media where she’s going to be,” Samantha Wheeler stated of the bell-ringer. “Your challenge is to go and find her, and if you make a donation and take a selfie with her, then she has a gift for you and a sticker that says, ‘I found Tonette.’”
For the previous few weeks the nonprofit held a sock drive to gather provides for the individuals who keep at its Washougal shelter.
“Socks are the most needed but least donated article of clothing for those experiencing homelessness,” Samantha Wheeler stated. “We give out socks daily. … Socks are really, really important. It’s a medical issue. Warm, dry socks are really one of the most important elements of their winter attire.”
Whereas the official sock drive ended with town of Washougal’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Thursday, the group will proceed to simply accept donations for the following a number of months.
“We’re collecting them because the next three to four months are the wet, cold season, and we’re giving out multiple pairs of socks every single day,” Samantha Wheeler stated.
The Salvation Military is launching a brand new occasion, a motorbike toy run from midday to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Group members can take part by buying a toy at Walmart, 430 S.E. 192nd Ave., Vancouver, and donating it to the trigger; and/or paying $10 to take the toys, by way of motorbike, to the Salvation Military.
“It’s basically a motorcycle parade,” Samantha Wheeler stated. “Some people might just want to pack a few toys in their backpack and transport them. … Some people might just want to participate in the parade and ride their motorcycle with a Santa suit on. It’s just a fun way to bring awareness and celebrate the season, raising funds to buy toys for our kids that we’re adopting and buying toys for this holiday season.”
The Camas-Washougal Salvation Military is becoming a member of different models throughout the Northwest Division in an identical problem.
Panther RV in Washougal will match each $20 donation made to a pink kettle Saturday, Dec. 14, in Camas or Washougal.
“So the more that people donate that day, the more that their donations will be amplified in their community,” Jessica Wheeler stated.