thank community The Brockport Service Clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary) wish to thank the members of the Brockport community for their generosity during the annual Salvation Army's bell ringing campaign. Last December's efforts paid off handsomely for a grand total of $3,231.19. Cort Fowler, coordinator of the Salvation Army's Brockport Unit, stated that the monies raised in the Brockport Community are for the use of the Brockport community. This money can be spent helping individuals and families who need a little extra help. For over a decade, Brockport's Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs have had a friendly rivalry concerning monies raised bell ringing for the Salvation Army. The 2000 winner was the Brockport Kiwanis Club. Next year may see service club members out ringing for a longer time period over four rather than the current three weekends before Christmas. The more money raised by the clubs, the more comes directly back to the community where it is raised. Brockport Service Clubs are already well-known on the state and national fronts for the founding of BISCO (The Brockport Integrated Service and Community Organization.) As creator of the annual summer arts festival that is held the second weekend in August, BISCO has invested over $100,000 during the past five years on playgrounds and other community benefits. However, the Salvation Army association has an even older history. The late Reverend Kenneth Lee, then pastor of the Morton Baptist Church, is credited with convincing the local service clubs to engage in a cooperative venture for the community's benefit. Since Rev. Lee was (or had been) a member of all three groups, he was perhaps uniquely qualified to help launch this endeavor. He was remembered fondly at the February annual joint dinner where the results of the 2000 bell-ringing activity were announced. The dinner has been a Brockport fixture for about a decade and serves to also renew each club's commitment to the annual project. |
