Pennsylvania Realtors® Ring for Red Kettle Campaign

Realtors® showed their holiday and community spirit volunteering to help the Salvation Army with its annual Red Kettle Campaign across Pennsylvania earlier this month. Members from 13 local associations participated in ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

PAR President Christopher Raad noted that Realtors® have a great sense of community. “Over the past year, I’ve seen tremendous efforts by Realtors® to serve their communities. The holiday season is another time when Realtors® and local associations lend a hand to help those in need,” he said.

The Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors® had 16 real estate offices ringing at kettles in 11 different locations across five counties, according to CSVBR President Angela Young.

“Many of our members are very service oriented,” she said. “And people are being very generous this year and giving larger donations. The donations help fill so many needs in our community like providing assistance during the holidays, filling backpacks for kids going back to school and sending kids to summer camps. Most of us don’t have to worry about those types of things. These donations help people in need throughout the year.”

Lise Barrick, CSVBR first vice president, said many offices within the board annually volunteer to ring bells for the Salvation Army.

“Our office is very community minded and any time there are volunteer activities we try to participate,” she said. “I like that this activity shows the solidarity among Realtors® in our community. Not only do we help the Salvation Army but Realtors® are out supporting their communities.”

Lebanon County Association of Realtors® President Stephanie Vega said the association members have volunteered with the Salvation Army many years.

“I love to give back to our community,” she said. “We’re so fortunate and blessed as Realtors® to be able to make time for important activities like Ring Day. It warms my heart to see how many people generously give during the holidays, despite the difficult past few years we’ve had.”

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign started more than 100 years ago to help provide Christmas meals to poverty-stricken communities in San Francisco. Money raised during the Red Kettle Campaign stays in the community to help those in need, providing food, shelter and social services. The idea of Realtors® ringing bells for the Salvation Army on the first Friday in December was initiated by a Realtor® in North Dakota and has spread throughout the country.

The following local associations had members who volunteered for Ring Day:

• Allegheny Highland Association
• Beaver County Association
• Central Susquehanna Valley Board
• Clearfield Jefferson Board
• Fayette Board
• Huntingdon County Board
• Lebanon County Association
• Luzerne County Association
• Reading-Berks Association
• Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh
• Realtors® Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley
• Schuylkill County Board
• Warren County