The mayors for College Station and Bryan went out to ring the bell for The Salvation Army in a highly anticipated annual mayoral challenge on Saturday, December 12, 2020, to ring for one hour at their prospective Walmart stores within their city. Although it was a cooler windy type of day, generous donors showed the warmth in their hearts towards fellow neighbors in need as they gave to the kettles of their favorite mayor/city.
The City of Bryan went into the competition as the reigning champion for the past 13 years. College Station citizens showed up online and to the stands in hopes that this would be their year to win the competition. Both mayors reiterated prior to and during their time at the kettle stands on Saturday that they hoped their city would come out on top this year. However; it was really The Salvation Army who would be the true winner, as the donations collected stay local and will go towards year-round programs that assist the citizens across Brazos County.
“It is great to get out here each year and support an outstanding organization,” said Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson. “We appreciate all that The Salvation Army does for our community. Both cities are coming together in a spirit of mutual appreciation for what The Salvation Army does. It has been a very tough year for so many of the citizens in Bryan. Mayor Mooney and I enjoy coming out and volunteering during the year. We try to do the most good for our community and that is what The Salvation Army is about, Doing The Most Good.”
“We are very fortunate in College Station, however not everyone in our town is as fortunate as others,” said College Station Mayor Karl Mooney. “The goal is to support The Salvation Army and to help provide for some of our less fortunate families and individuals here in the Brazos Valley. We have had good years and bad years in College Station. This has been one of the bad; therefore, it is important to help when possible. This friendly competition gives people a fun way to give.”
After counting what was raised in the kettles in addition to the online donations made in honor of both mayors, the totals of the 14th Annual Mayor Ring Off are in. For 2020, a grand total of $ 8,648.90. The funds raised in the 2020 mayoral challenge is an all-time high for the annual event. Mayor Nelson of Bryan collected $ 6,591.10 while Mayor Mooney collected $ 2,057.80, making this year’s winner for the 14th year in a row the City of Bryan.
The Salvation Army of Bryan/College Station would like to thank everyone who participated at the kettle stands, behind the scenes, and those who contributed donations. Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can still be made at kettles near you around the area as well as online through December 24. Volunteers are still needed during that time as well. Those interested can go to salvationarmybcs.org to donate or to sign up to volunteer.
