Kiwanis rings the holiday bells

SPARTA — “Service is what service does” and no organization does it like the Salvation Army. And once again this year, the Sparta Kiwanis was on the scene, as they have been since 1995, as surrogate bell-ringers for this worthy organization. Shoppers found the mostly old, but still spry elves teamed up with Sparta High School Key Club volunteers ringing away at Sparta’s Stop & Shop and Newton’s ShopRite supermarkets throughout the holiday season.
Holiday collections by Sparta volunteers on behalf of the Salvation Army have totaled almost half a million dollars since 1995. In 19 days of ringing, the volunteers collected $26,584. That’s the fifth highest total since Kiwanis has been doing it. 2014 saw the largest haul, at $28,142.
But that’s only half the story. The rest of story – and the part of the story appreciated most - is the generosity of our local supermarkets, Stop & Shop and ShopRite, that make space for our efforts, and the generosity of our Sparta and Newton residents who stand tall every season to help make this special holiday special for those less fortunate than they.
The Sparta Kiwanis’ wishes for “ Peace on Earth and Good Will to All “ go out to all our neighbors, the folks we have been privileged to serve throughout the year.