Salvation Army’s Good Friends Campaign gets underway for holiday season

KEENE — Savings Bank of Walpole (SBW) and the Monadnock Broadcasting Group/KNE-FM are once again teaming up with Douglas Cuddle Toys to support the Keene Salvation Army’s annual Good Friends campaign — the largest fundraising effort in the Keene area that’s facilitated by outside organizations. The campaign will kick off on Friday, Nov. 9 with KNE-FM broadcasting live at the Bank’s 84 Marlboro Street branch from 10 a.m. to noon.

Throughout the holiday season, all SBW branches will serve as point-of-sale locations, selling stuffed animals generously donated by Douglas Cuddle Toys for $10 each. The Salvation Army receives 100 percent of the sale proceeds and uses the funds to help the community and those in need.

This year’s warm and fuzzy fundraising ambassadors include Sunbeam the Unicorn, Nipper the Dog and Fenton the Frog.

“The Good Friends campaign is an event that all of us at SBW look forward to each year,” said Mark Bodin, president for Savings Bank of Walpole. “Raising money for the Salvation Army is important because the proceeds enable them to provide a number of different services and resources that help the community. Of course, the campaign wouldn’t be possible without the generous donation of stuffed animals and all the effort of everyone at Douglas Cuddle Toys. We’re excited to be teaming up with KNE-FM and the Monadnock Broadcasting Group to help make this year’s fundraising initiative a success.”