Kick Off Busy Few Weeks Leading To Christmas

The Salvation Army will hold its annual Bears vs. Packers Kettle Challenge today at Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria and HyVee in Peoria from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The daylong event, now in its 17th year, helps raise funds for the Tree of Lights Campaign in a fun fashion as fans of the Bears and Packers take turns ringing bells.

Tonight , meanwhile, at the Peoria Rivermen game, The Salvation Army will hold its annual Coats for Kids Night. Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers will be manning barrels before the 7 pm game, collecting coats to give to area children in need. There will also be a Teddy bear toss in one of the intermissions, with those items being collected for children served by The Salvation Army. The first 500 fans who donate coats ro a bear will receive vouchers for tickets to an upcoming Rivermen game.

Next week, The Salvation Army will have its annual Share the Spirit Party for 1,000 children at the Peoria Civic Center on Tuesday evening, and its Older Adults Party at the Four Points by Sheraton on Thursday at noonn.

For more information, please contact Rich Draeger at 655-1348 or 253-9909.