Pictured left to to right: Dave Hamrick, Salvation Army board member – Alan Alderfer, Salvation Army board chair – John Hall, Salvation Army life board member and event chair – Ken Locke, Salvation Army staff member and event co-chair – Bruce Howe, event chairman emeritus – Jan Orban, Warsaw Rotary Club president – Jenny Stofer, Salvation Army board secretary and vice-chair – Lt. Karen Pommier and Lt. Esteban Pommier. (Photo provided)

The Warsaw Rotary Club held its 49th Annual “Rotary Salvation Army Day” at the club meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Originally the event was called “Brice Phillipson Day” when it was formed in 1965 by Chairman Bruce Howe. “We collected just a little under $1,000 that first year,” noted Howe during the celebration. “I am so pleased where we have come in raising monies to support the needed services of The Salvation Army in our community.”

Bruce Howe has been given the distinction of Chairman Emeritus of the event as John R. Hall serves that Chair and Ken Locke as the Co-Chair. It is estimated that well over 1 million dollars has been collected for the annual Christmas campaign by the club. “When I tell Rotarians in other communities how much Warsaw Rotary collects for The Salvation Army people are amazed,” Ken Locke shared. “Our big thanks goes to Bruce Howe, John Hall, Jan Orban and all the many Rotary members who make this much needed event possible”. said Lt. Esteban Pommier, Salvation Army Commanding Officer.

To date the club has collected $30,000 with more coming in the days to come “We will announce a final total in early January to let people know the final results,” John Hall shared at the meeting. Former Rotarians and persons who want to participate in this annual tradition may send a check payable to The Salvation Army to Warsaw Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1473, Warsaw, IN 46580.