Salvation Army coordinator: ?Best year ever? in donations

This is the best year for donations to the red kettle campaign in the eight years the Rev. Jim McGaffey has been the Jefferson County coordinator for the Salvation Army, he reports.

Volunteers have been ringing bells at the red kettles in front of Fairfield?s Hy-Vee Food and Drug Store and Walmart for four weeks.

?A big thank you to these two businesses for allowing the kettles to be placed,? said McGaffey. ?And a big thank you to the generous people of Jefferson County for contributing to the kettles.

?Our goal this year is $16,000 and as of Dec. 10, at least $9,386 has been contributed.?

McGaffey said with the current economic climate, this year?s contributions will go a long way toward meeting the needs of people through 2012.

?We are on track to exceed this year?s goal,? he said. ?Thank you Jefferson County.?

Anyone can still sign-up to ring bells at the red kettles by calling McGaffey at 472-2524.

Donations ? cash, or checks payable to The Salvation Army ? can be deposited into any kettle on counters in local businesses or into one of the kettles at Walmart or Hy-Vee, or mailed to: the Rev. Jim McGaffey, 202 S. Fifth St., Fairfield 52556.