Salvation Army red kettles in Hoosick Falls are filling up with green and silver quickly this holiday season thanks to the five JLS Foundation scholarship finalists as well as other hearty volunteers and businesses. The kettle drive, which began the week after Thanksgiving, received renewed fervor this year as the needs of the community continue to rise. Bell ringers are manning kettles at the Grand Union and the Hoosick Falls Federal Credit Union. Counter top kettles are located at Thorpe’s Pharmacy, True Value Hardware, the Falls Diner and the Big Moose Deli.
In October the JLS Foundation announced a new community service program designed to make a positive impact on the Town of Hoosick and offer more college scholarship money to a winning student
from Hoosick Falls Central School. Beginning this year, the Foundation offered an optional program for the five finalists. The finalists chose to participate and selected the Salvation Army Kettle Drive as a group project which will make a positive impact on the Town of Hoosick. The students participating in the project are Kendra Andrew, Michael Brewster, David Ciuk, James Lynch and Brennen O’Donnell.
The goal for the drive, which will run through December 19, was $1,000, an amount almost double what has been collected in recent years. However, through the generosity of the community and hard work of the volunteers, the goal has been exceeded in just two weeks with another week to go. The fund is used to provide emergency assistance of food, clothing and shelter to families throughout the area who are faced with unexpected needs, in partnership with the Hoosick Area Church Association’s (HACA) Food Pantry. It is comforting to know that needs may be able to be met as the winter months bear down on us.
The JLS Foundation honors the memory of the late John Liporace Sr. who, according to his son John Jr., was a huge proponent of community service and who loved Hoosick Falls.
