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My Turn, Your Turn: Red Kettle Campaign

By Gary McNair - bio|email

Several WECT employees had the honor this week of ringing bells for the Salvation Army.  Every year we take part in the Red Kettle Campaign, but for me, it meant a little more this year.  

Coincidentally, just a few days before volunteering, I happened to catch a touching and meaningful story on the Today Show about Cecil Morris, a former drug addict who turned his life around - giving credit to the Salvation Army for making it possible.

Now – 13 years after becoming clean – Cecil works at an Alabama Salvation Army shelter as its chef. Last week he cooked Thanksgiving dinner for a thousand people, and will do it again on Christmas day. 

His story was a timely reminder for me that the money so generously given at the kettles really does have a positive human impact.   

What is donated truly helps change lives, and so often, when a life is changed, that person turns around - as Cecil Morris did - and helps many others make that same transition.  That makes me feel good all over when I see those red kettles and hear the bells ringing. 

That's my turn.  Now it's your turn.  To comment on this segment, or anything else, email me at yourturn@wect.com.

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