Red Kettle Kickoff: The Silver Bells Season with Local Hero Wilfrid “Bill” Lemann
Photo Caption: Bill Lemann has been the master of ceremonies for the Red Kettle Kickoff for most of the last 25 years. “His humor, relationships with community leaders and elected officials, and lifelong dedication to the San Bernardino community are legendary,” said Red Kettle Kickoff Chair Brian Cronin. “It is an honor for Bill to be our Master of Ceremonies and help The Salvation Army serve those in need.”
REDLANDS, CALIF.— Local hero and attorney Wilfrid “Bill” Lemann, partner at Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP, is the Red Kettle Kickoff master of ceremonies for 2024. The annual start of the bell-ringing season for The Salvation Army is Tuesday, November 12th, at 5:30 pm, at the Bear Springs Hotel Events Center, 27923 Highland Ave., Highland, CA 92346.
“I was so happy to see the great attendance we had last year, and I am hopeful we can have even more people attend this year,” said Lemann. Tickets are available here.
“The animatronics innovator and hometown hero Garner Holt will deliver the keynote address at the kickoff event. He is an outstanding speaker and has his finger on creative innovation in Southern California,” said Lemann.
Bill Lemann has been the master of ceremonies for the Red Kettle Kickoff for most of the last 26 years.
“His humor, relationships with community leaders and elected officials, and lifelong dedication to the San Bernardino community are legendary,” said the Red Kettle Kickoff Chair Brian Cronin. “It is an honor for Bill to be our Master of Ceremonies and help The Salvation Army serve those in need.”
Photo Caption: Majors Isaias & Wife Adelma Braga, Commanders of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino County, welcome donors to last year's Red Kettle Kickoff.
Are you hungry, homeless, or hopeless? Do you need help paying your monthly bills? Do you have a drug or alcohol addiction? The Salvation Army helps people in need with all these problems and more.
Different programs have different funding sources, and one of the most important funding sources is the annual Red Kettle Kickoff campaign, which happens every Christmas season.
"In front of your favorite stores, the Salvation Army bell ringers gather donations that help provide food and shelter for homeless or displaced families, daily food baskets for those in need, hot meals, clothing, and furniture, as well as assistance with rent or mortgage payments and transportation, when funds allow," explained Lemann.
During the Christmas season, the Salvation Army distributes holiday food baskets to approximately 500 local families and offers toys to children whose parents cannot afford them.
The Salvation Army of San Bernardino organizes a Christmas Dinner that traditionally serves a tasty meal to around 200 individuals. Contributions from those who give to the Red Kettles make this possible.
"The Salvation Army ranks among the most reliable and impactful organizations assisting the homeless, hungry, hopeless, addicted, and those in need. Their doors are always welcoming," Lemann stated.
You can donate online at https://sanbernardino.salvationarmy.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Please specify that you would like your donation to go to the San Bernardino Corps in California.
Donors are encouraged to bring turkeys, hams, canned goods, cash, checks, or gift cards to the Salvation Army’s Corps Office located at 838 Alta Street, Redlands, CA 92373.
Since 1888, The Salvation Army has supported those in need in San Bernardino. It assists without discrimination, serving cities such as Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Yucaipa, along with mountain communities like Big Bear, Blue Jay, Crestline, and Lake Arrowhead.
For more information, call (909) 792-6868.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army is an evangelical branch of the Universal Christian Church that offers holistic programs for individuals without discrimination. It serves the cities of Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Yucaipa, as well as Big Bear, Blue Jay, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and other mountain communities.
The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest charitable and service organizations. It has been serving San Bernardino since 1888, supporting those in need.