QHS students ring bells, play music for Salvation Army to raise more than $1,100

QUINCY — Xavier Richardson, a 14-year old freshman at Quincy High School, along with several of his friends, adopted a Salvation Army kettle on Saturday, Nov. 23, in front of Sam’s Club and took turns ringing the bell for 10 hours. The students also brought musical instruments to play Christmas music.

Through the efforts of these students, $1,142.37 will be donated to the Salvation Army.

To get a head start on donations to the adopted kettle, Richardson asked a few local businesses about possibly donating to the kettle. First Bankers Trust volunteered to match the amount the students raised on Saturday.

In a press release, Richardson said, “I’m hoping that our efforts will inspire more kids to do the same. If there were 10 group of kids in Quincy adopting kettles just like us, we would have the potential of raising $5,000 or more to help people in need. If 100 groups of kids in the nation take the same efforts, it will have a huge impact in the community.”

Richardson and 33 of his friends adopted a Salvation Army kettle last year and collected more than $500.