Kennett Christmas in July Fundraiser to provide essential items for those in need

KENNETT, Mo. (KBSI) – Two words are at the heart of Kennett’s Christmas in July Fundraiser: Giving back. 

Various departments such as the 911 Center

and the Kennett Fire Department, are collecting items throughout the month of July for those in need. 

911 Communications Supervisor Rachael Bowles outlined the items being collected and what will be done with them at the end of the month. 

“We’re going to put them at various locations within the city for easy access for them to be able to get,” she said. “Feminine products, we’re going to have like peanut butter crackers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, just various items that are essential for living that may not be easy to come by financial wise.” 

Bowles said providing these physical items for those who otherwise may not be able to afford them is a great way to give back to the community.

“We’re not collecting money; we’re collecting actual items,” she said. “These are items that you don’t have to purchase to get. They’re already there. I guess making it more readily available is a way we want to give back.” 

Communications Officer Chad Allen grew up in Kennett. He said being a part of this fundraiser gives him that extra sense of doing what’s right for his hometown. 

“Just to be able to help the community that I grew up in my whole entire life, it gives me that sense of a little bit of good in the world today anyways,” he said.

Bowles said this fundraiser is a nice respite from what can be, just by the nature of the job, some troubling days. 

“At the police department and communications, we hear people’s worst days most days, so in order for people just to know that they’re going to be able to get these types of items, it makes you feel just a little bit warmer inside, I guess you could say, just to know that they will be able to get what they need,” she said.