Ringing seasonal start
Lodi Salvation Army kicks off holiday season
Approximately 500 Lodians lined up along all four walls of the Chardonnay Hall at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds late Thursday morning, waiting patiently for a meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce during the Lodi Salvation Army’s Kettle Kickoff, an annual event to mark the start of its fundraising season.
“It’s just an amazing thing to see this many good-hearted people caring about their neighbors,” Maj. Mark Thielenhaus said. “It restores my faith in humanity.”
Last year’s Kettle Kickoff raised approximately $156,000, Thielenhaus said, adding that this year’s goal was to raise at least $125,000 at the event.
“Not all of that is raised just from today’s giving,” Thielenhaus said. “Lots of our table sponsors have been collecting for quite some time to be able to give today.”
Maj. Michelle Thielenhaus, Mark’s wife, also enjoyed watching the community’s generosity at the event.
“It’s like coming home,” Michelle said. “The closeness everybody has and the support they have for each other and making sure that needs are met in the community.”
Pam Kludt, the Salvation Army’s fundraising chair, was impressed by the different types of people who came out on Thursday to support the charitable organization.
“Churches, businesses, people that are retired, people that work in schools, we have just about every walk of life here in Lodi,” Kludt said.
As the guests finished up their meals prepared by the Salvation Army’s culinary arts students, Lodi City Councilman Mark Chandler stepped on stage to thank the nonprofit organization for helping to address the city’s homelessness issues.
“They do so much good in Lodi, and particularly at the city level we appreciate them working with us,” Chandler said. “City staff, the faith community, police, fire and organizations like the Salvation Army have helped us get hundreds of people off the streets.”
After Chandler’s speech, master of ceremonies and former Salvation Army board member Phil Pannino asked for volunteers to ring bells and collect donations in the signature red kettles during the holidays before announcing the main event of the day: The kettle run.
Carrying red kettles and ringing bells, the participants known as “bell ringers” had five minutes to dash from table to table collecting donations as the Salvation Army Sacramento Division Band played “Jingle Bells,” and “Deck the Halls.”
“Our goal is to raise $125,000 today. Not tomorrow, today,” Pannino said. “On your mark, get set, go!”
Representing the Lodi Kiwanis Club, City councilman Doug Kuehne collected $5,024 in donations taking second place among the service clubs, while Lodi Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer Pat Patrick took first place after collecting $10,810 while representing the Lodi Rotary Club.
Pannino collected $7,420 and placed fourth out of the celebrity bell ringers, while Salvation Army board member Clint Waring collected $18,762 and placed third.
Kludt collected $19,947.33 taking second place out of the celebrity bell ringers, and Salvation Army board member Annette Murdaca placed first having collected $70,364.
“The Salvation Army is known for the Three S's: Sour, soap and salvation. They feed them, they clean them up and they save them,” Murdaca said. “I’m very proud to be a part of this organization.”
The Lodi Salvation Army raised a total of $132,337.33 on Thursday, exceeding their original goal of $125,000.
“I would say that’s a successful Kettle Kickoff,” Kludt said before closing the event with a prayer.