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caption, page 7:
Winners
The winners of Putnam Interact Club's Ring-a-Ding-Ding contest, Putnam Science Academy. Courtesy photo.
Kids raise
$18,000+
in kettles
PUTNAM — The Putnam Interact Club, part of the Putnam Rotary Club, raised more than $18,000 during its Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. That was the second highest statewide.
The Putnam Interact Club teens have been organizing and staffing the Salvation Army Kettle campaign each Christmas season since 1996. From the day after Thanksgiving, the five Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Christmas Eve, 29 members of the Interact club organized the manning of seven kettles placed at business locations in the Putnam area. The money raised is used for families in the greater Putnam area.
A total of 194 teens volunteered over the seven day campaign for 930 hours of volunteer time. The top volunteer hour awards went to: College: Dan Baker, QVCC, 24 hours; High School: Jamie Barrette, Marianapolis, 60 hours; High School: Kyle Beauregard, Marianapolis, 57 hours; Middle School: Jaidyn Gillette, Putnam Middle, 9 hours.
The Interact Club’s 4th Annual Ring-A-Ding Challenge, where nine local schools, home-schoolers, and some college students are challenged to recruit volunteers, was won by Putnam Science Academy for a total of 324 volunteer hours. The traveling trophy and banner, along with an engraved plaque were awarded to the school at annual pizza party. Marianapolis, last year’s winner, was second with 270 volunteer hours.
Kathy Orfitelli, representative for the Salvation Army, recognized the Interact Club members at the Pizza Party. She spoke to the students about the importance of their efforts for many families in the Putnam Area. Also in attendance was Kathi Peterson, the Putnam Salvation Army community coordinator.
The Interact Club also recognized the generosity of the stores that participated in the campaign: Price Chopper, Kmart, Stop & Shop, Wal-mart, and Putnam Supermarket. Certificates of appreciation were also given to WINY radio and the Putnam Rotary Club for their support!
“The Interact Club has really enjoyed the success that the Ring-a-Ding Challenge has provided and we look forward to our fifth year in 2012”, said Jamie Barrette, president of the Putnam Regional Interact Club.