Canteen at Festival of Lights Parade, Culvers Night, Bear & Doll Tea, Bear vs. Packer Kettle Challenge Headline Events
On Saturday, November 27, The Salvation Army will again have its canteen serving coffee and hot chocolate at the Festival of Lights Parade in East Peoria. The canteen will be parked at Winter Insurance and have hot chocolate and coffee available for parade goers. “We are thankful of the long relationship we have had with the people at Winters Insurance,” said Major Evie Diaz, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army.
On Wednesday, December 1st at 10:00 a.m., the annual Doll & Bear Tea will be held at our Divisional headquarters at 401 NE Adams. Volunteers who have decorated and dressed bears and dolls will be here for the special tea and awards program. The dolls and bears will be used at our various toy events, as well as for a special event at Jamieson School later in December. That evening, our second Culver’s Night will be held. The Salvation Army officers, volunteers and staff will be at the Culvers across from the Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Ten percent of proceeds will be donated to the Tree of Lights Campaign, and The Salvation Army Brass will be on hand to entertain diners with Christmas music.
Saturday, December 4th will be the annual Bears Packers Kettle Challenge, as Bear and Packer fans have a special bell-ringing competition. The main host this year is at HyVee in Sheridan Village and fans will be ringing from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Similar competition will take place at the Allen Road Walmart and the Washington Walmart. “It’s a fun day, and we want to thank HyVee and the WalMarts for hosting us again this year,” said Rich Draeger of The Salvation Army.
All events are part of the Tree of Lights Campaign, which is working to reach its goal of $1.43 million. To donate to the Tree of Lights Campaign, you can send a check to The Salvation Army P.O. Box 1468, Peoria, IL or online at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland. You can also call 655-7220 and donate with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card.