Volunteers to aid in annual kettle drive
By: Joseph Harvie
The South Brunswick Service Unit of the Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help with its annual kettle drive outside area stores and eateries.
Jennifer Vogel, coordinator of the township’s Salvation Army Unit, said the kettle drive will kick off on Black Friday, Nov. 24, at the Wal-Mart on Route 1 in West Windsor. This marks this first time the local bell-ringers will collect on Fridays, and also the first time the volunteers will be in West Windsor, Ms. Vogel said.
The drive will begin locally Nov. 25 and 26 at stores including Pierre’s of South Brunswick on Georges Road, the Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 522 in Dayton, the Kendall Park Post Office and Walgreens on Route 27 near Henderson Road, the Stop & Shop grocery stores on Routes 1 and 522 in the township and on Route 27 in Franklin Park.
Volunteers are asked to sign up for one hour, Ms. Vogel said, but can do more if they want.
"If people want to do more than one hour we’d love it," Ms. Vogel said. "But we don’t ask people to donate any more than one hour, especially on colder days. People can’t tolerate being out there that long."
The money raised from the local drive is put into a special Salvation Army account and used to help needy township residents who need help paying bills, Ms. Vogel said. The money is also used to purchase gift cards for gasoline and to Wal-Mart for families in emergency situations, Ms. Vogel said. She said the cash has also been used to help families whose houses have burnt down.
Procceds from the drive will be used exclusively for local families, Ms. Vogel said.
"We operate our own unit so we don’t have to give any money to the main regional office," Ms. Vogel said. "We deposit the money and it stays in town. It’s used for needy residents throughout the year."
Ms. Vogel said that Township Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf helps find families that need help.
Last year the drive brought in $9,302, about $600 more than in 2004.
The volunteers work between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Ms. Vogel said. She said that volunteers are allowed to make their time volunteering more interesting too.
"We encourage people do what they want with the time," Ms. Vogel said. "Last year we had some teenagers who dressed up in reindeer and Santa outfits. Others brought music with them and some kids from high school put together a five-piece group and played Christmas carols."
However, the volunteers do not have to solicit for donations.
"We don’t ask for donations," Ms. Vogel said. "We just stand there and ring a bell. Some people might feel uncomfortable accosting people, but we don’t do that. We just stand there and ring a bell."
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Ms. Vogel at (732) 355-1772 or e-mail her at [email protected].

