The alley between Eighth and Ninth Streets in the Central Neighborhood has been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. Thousands of brightly-colored lights and lawn ornaments hang from roof gables and ropes ― a set of chimes mounted on the side of a garage rings out traditional carols.
Vince Cornelier is standing outside his garage, ringing a bell next to a red Salvation army kettle.
“What we’ve decided to do is to collect funds for the Salvation Army,” he says. “Because with the masks and everything, it is hard to come up on people when you are coming out of the store, and so this seemed like a good thing to try, and it seems to be working out.”
9 & 10 News
December 21, 2020
Monday marks the last day of the Traverse City Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Matching Mondays.
For the last several years, an anonymous donor has matched donations up to $30,000 for the Salvation Army during Christmas time.
Over the last two Mondays they have collected over $20,000 and hope to raise the rest on Monday.
The Salvation Army is finishing Matching Mondays off with an event in the Salvation Army parking lot that runs until 7 p.m.
“We have the BATA Bus that’s designed with Christmas trees or lights that’s gonna be out there. We’ll have our canteen out there and some lights, and then we’re gonna have our kettles out there so if you want to drive by and just drop a donation in there, that’s another way just to give on this Matching Monday,” said Matthew Winters, Lieutenant, Salvation Army Traverse City.