AURORA, Ill., Nov. 9, 2018 – Friday night the Aurora community gathered downtown at the Paramount Theatre to kick off the 2018 giving season for the Salvation Army Aurora Corps annual Red Kettle campaign.

The evening featured a presentation of colors by the Boy Scout Troop #26 Holy Angels Catholic Church, ribbon cutting with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Deputy Mayor Chuck Nelson, metropolitan Salvation Army leaders, local board leaders, recognition awards, and guest speaker Chicago Bears Team Chaplain Ray McElroy. And a finale of the ceremonial first kettle coin, deposited by McElroy.

The hosts for the evening were Captains Rich and Linnea Forney.

Civic, business, and churches help supply volunteers for the bell ringing at various local businesses and malls.

Outside the Paramount was parked the Army’s new emergency mobile canteen. This canteen features many new technologies. Captain Rich proudly described these new features to canteen visitors. It can prepare some 20,000 meals per day.

At the events conclusion, guests had an opportunity to have photos with and autographs from Bears Chaplain McElroy.

The 2018 Aurora Red Kettle campaign has begun!

A complete video of the evening is available below from The Voice and Jason Crane

John Ross

John Ross on Saturday, April 23, 2016 launched XPian News, a part of  Daybreak Communications, Inc. Ross is the facilitator of Aurora Christian Ministry Network (ACMN) and a member of the Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance (FVCMA). He serves on the boards of Wayside Cross Ministries and the Kiwanis Club of Aurora. As a follower of Jesus, he has been for some 40 years a member of First Presbyterian Church - Aurora. He has an M.A. - Christian Leadership from Wheaton College Graduate School and undergraduate at Trinity International University.  editor@xpian.news