Salvation Army Bells Draw $42,407 for Southington Community Services at Walmart

"There's just something special about Southington", Dave 'Harry' Harrington of Southington Community Services says. "It's hard to describe. But, I know that other people 'see' this certain quality of Southington as a community that rises and responds generously when there is a call to help others in need."

Last Monday, December 9th, the people of Southington certainly rose generously in response to the ringing of the Salvatation Army Bells in front of Walmart. Ringing the bells for two hours from 3 to 5 pm were Sen. Joe Markley, Rep. Rob Sampson and Probate Judge Matt Jalowiec with a generous commitment by Walmart to match the dollar amount of donations made by shoppers and the community within that two hour period.   

The word had been spread, including here on Southington Heartbeat, and an exciting challenge ensued. Shoppers and donors from around town came in numbers to drop a total of $21,207 in the Salvation Army's Red Kettle.  

With a matching donation by Walmart, Southington Community Services will receive an astounding total of $42,414 which, according to SCS Director, Janet Mellon, will help meet the growing needs of the winter season for those whom they serve, those families who might otherwise go without food, clothing, needed assistance to pay their rent, expenses of utilities like electric and heat and other services that help qualified residents of Southington manage their lives in economically stressful times. Mellon was thrilled and grateful for the support of the entire community all year and particularly at this holiday time of such great need.

Assistant Director, Mark Fazzolari said: "There's no way we could have done what we've done this year without the generous donations of so many in our community. Our gratitude and the thanks of the many who are helped cannot be overstated: the schools, churches, civic organizations, the Salvation Army, the United Way of Southington, our business community, other caring groups and individuals that include young people like Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and the Giving Back Girls as well as the individual donors and shoppers who are always there to help with donations in the Salvation Army's collections."

"The generosity of Southington as a community is confirmed in many ways., "Fazzolari said. "Just ask the manager of Walmart. For the last three successive drives, the Southington store has led all their stores in the State of Connecticut in total donations and Southington ranks in the top few of Walmart Stores nationally."