To the editor:

We are writing to personally thank the generous people of Saranac Lake who gave to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign this past holiday season. Thanks to your generosity we raised a record-setting amount of which 90% will be used to help families in the Saranac Lake Area with emergency needs, like housing, food, clothing and other necessities.

Thank you to those who allowed us to “ring the bell” at their locations: Saranac Lake Post Office, Tops, and Kinney Drugs. A special thank you to businesses which allowed us to have counter-top kettles for donations: Romano’s Saranac Lanes, Aubuchon Hardware, Coakley’s Home and Hardware, Go Fish, Monroe Auto Service, Village Mercantile, Hyde Car Wash and Gas Station – Flower Avenue, and Rice Furniture.

We also give our personal thanks to those hands-on volunteers who rang the bells loudly this year and made our Red Kettle Season a success: Rich, Stacey, Cal, Cheri, Dick, Carol, Franny, Amy, Phil, Diane, Martha, Cathy, Bonnie, Amanda, Sue, Phyllis, Chuck, Beth, Elizabeth, Beryl, Bryon, Jerry, Jenny, Peter, Pat, Randy, Patti, Dave, Carol, Sue, Dave, Emily, Diane, LeeAnn, Joe, Doreen, Bill, Margo, Amelia, Michael, Cathy, Aleacia, Karen, Julie, Becky, Stephanie, Milton, Courtney, Anita, Mike, Chris, and Maggie. We also appreciate the support given this year from those who were unable to actively participate.

Despite restrictions due to COVID-19 and precautions we had to take this year, we are proud of our `community’s response to lend a hand to help others.

May all the best be with you in 2021, Saranac Lake!

Maggie and Rev. Dr. Vance Mortensen

Saranac Lake