Realtors® ring for Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign

Pennsylvania Realtors® throughout the state stepped up to help the Salvation Army raise money through their Red Kettle campaign earlier this month.

Bruce Roby, president of the Fayette Board of Realtors®, said his association has participated in the campaign for several years. “I like to be involved in the community and help out,” he said. “It’s a blast to get to see a lot of people who you might not see very often.” In addition, the association served lunch at the Salvation Army earlier this year.

Terry Solomon-August, a Realtor® with the Luzerne County Association of Realtors®, said Realtor® Ted Poggi is on the board of directors of the Salvation Army and usually puts together a schedule for the association’s Realtors® to ring the bell. “Our local association participates because we feel it’s very important to give back to the community that we serve,” she added.

Annually, Realtors® across the country volunteer for Ring Day on the first Friday of December to collect donations as part of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Ring Day debuted in 2010 and has grown each year as associations continue to join the effort. The money raised at each kettle stays in the local community, funding Salvation Army programs such as food distribution, rehabilitation and youth activities.

“The Salvation Army is a worthy non-profit that does a lot for the community, making sure people have food and toys for children at the holidays,” said Lori Solomon, 2019 president-elect of the West Branch Valley Association of Realtors®. West Branch Realtors® manned three locations. “We love it, people wear Santa hats or reindeer antlers, we give out candy canes,” she added. “We make it an event.”

Donna Napier with the Huntingdon County Board of Realtors® said her fellow Realtors® enjoy the day. “It’s always very rewarding and the time goes fast. We see a lot of people in the community and many are very generous,” she said. “Some people even brought the Realtors® ringing hot chocolate.”

The Bradford Sullivan Association of Realtors® has participated in Ring Day for several years. Patricia Them, past president of the association, said, “I think volunteering to ring for the Red Kettle campaign is a good cause.”

The Reading-Berks Association of Realtors® also makes Ring Day a priority. Association past President Eva Eisenbrown said it can be a challenge for the Salvation Army to recruit volunteers. “This was the first year I participated, and the response was great. We were cold, but we tried to make it enjoyable,” she said. “It’s hard to fit everything in around the holidays, but it’s important to give back and be out there.”

Once again, the Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors® was present at 15 locations spanning several counties. Angela Young, CSVBR first vice president, said, “It’s a project that everyone gets behind. All of the offices work together for the common good and the Salvation Army is grateful for the volunteers’ efforts.”

Realtor® Denise Whipp with the Warren County Board of Realtors® has been an agent for 21 years and can’t remember a time when her association didn’t work with the Salvation Army. “The Salvation Army is always in need. It’s been a staple in the Warren community for many years and the reason it has been able to be of help to those who need it is because of the community support,” she said.

Warren County Realtors® like to make the event fun. They’ve challenged the local bar association to see which association could raise more money and have had a traveling trophy for the association that raised the most funds.

“We always have plenty of volunteers to staff our location and those who are involved really enjoy the experience,” said Norm Swiger, president of the Greater Mercer County Association.

Beverly Pietrandrea, past president of the Beaver County Association of Realtors®, said their members have been participating with the Salvation Army for five years. “We had members from several different offices working at three locations,” she said. “Some dressed up and have a lot of fun there. I believe every organization should get out and do this. For me, I’m so blessed and there are so many people in need, I think it’s important to give back to our communities.”

Michelle Zimmerman, a board member from the McKean County Association of Realtors®, said this was her first time ringing for the Salvation Army. “I loved it. A lot more people gave than I expected, and people thanked me for volunteering my time. I got to see people I know and meet a lot of new people. It was a grand experience and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

Local associations that participated in Ring Day include:

• Beaver County Association of Realtors®
• Bradford Sullivan Association of Realtors®
• Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors®
• Fayette Board of Realtors®
• Greater Allegheny-Kiski Board of Realtors®
• Greater Mercer Association of Realtors®
• Huntingdon County Board of Realtors®
• Luzerne County Association of Realtors®
• McKean County Association of Realtors®
• Reading-Berks Association of Realtors®
• Realtors® Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley
• Warren County Board of Realtors®
• West Branch Valley Association of Realtors®