Longboat Key kettle is a top earner again

The Longboat Key Salvation Army kettle, which sits at Longboat Key Publix every holiday season, and the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key proved to be top donation earners once again in 2015.

Salvation Army Development Director Glenda Leonard informed the Kiwanis Club Jan. 8 that the Key's kettle received $11,288.99 in 2015, up from $9,309.07 in 2014. 

The Kiwanis Club also earned the honor of top civic group in its Salvation Army area.

The kettle was only topped by a Sarasota-area church in terms of donations received.

"Only one church group exceeded your Kiwanis production, and they covered two doors at a Walmart if that gives you an idea of the super results you achieved on Longboat Key," Leonard wrote to club member John Wild. 

A matching donation was also offered to the Key's kettle on Dec. 24.

"The donor went ahead and gave the entire $25,000 to help the homeless of our community," Leonard wrote.