The Salvation Army Corps of Greater Kearny kicked off its annual seasonal Kettle Drive last Thursday, Nov. 13, in front of Kearny Town Hall, with Mayor Alberto Santos and members of the Town Council in attendance.
Corps leaders, Capt. Sherry Moukouangala and Lt. Maurice Moukouangala, presided at the ceremony which featured the performance of traditional Christmas holiday music by Salvation Army personnel.
Lt. Mike Barney of the Plainfield Corps and Mike Hslop, bandmaster of the Greater Kearny Corps Church, both on cornet, were joined by Dean Farrar, music director of the Salvation Army in New Jersey and Lt. Moukouangala, both on the euphonium.
Lt. Moukouangala said that last year, the Greater Kearny Corps netted a total of $65,000 in its kettles stationed around its service area, which encompasses Kearny, Harrison, East Newark, North Arlington and Lyndhurst.
He said the Corps has set this year’s fundraising goal at “between $70,000 and $100,000.”
“We know that’s not easy to achieve but we do what we can and Kearny has always been supportive,” he said. “Each and every dollar counts because the need is very big.”
Money collected goes for emergency food supplies, rent subsidies and clothing where most needed, Lt. Moukouangala said. “There are many families out there who cannot afford essential items,” he added.
People who wish to donate are invited to deposit funds in any of the Salvation Army kettles or to visit the Greater Kearny Corps Church at 28 Beech St. or its offices at 443 Chestnut St., both in Kearny.
– Ron Leir
