Fulton County Ohio Media

It has been almost two years since the Swanton community had to say goodbye to former Swanton High School teacher and coach, Joe D. Kahl.  But for those who knew Joe and were witness to the impact he had on so many lives through his tireless community service efforts over the many years, his presence still remains and his legacy and spirit of “giving back” lives on.

Much of his benevolent works and generosity took place behind the scenes, unknown to most of the public.  However, at this time of year, between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Joe stepped out from behind the curtain and worked with the Salvation Army, coordinating the Red Kettle Drive at the Swanton Kroger.  He spent countless hours ensuring that when the final numbers were totaled, Swanton, Joe’s community, would outshine all others.  Fueling his own drive was the fact that all money donated in Swanton would be spent in the Swanton area.  To honor Joe and his outstanding contributions to the Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio, a Gold Kettle bearing his name was placed in the Swanton Kroger vestibule for this, the final week of the Red Kettle Drive.

Below are some thoughts of Melody William, Fiscal Manager and Field Representative of Service Units for the local Salvation Army who enlisted Joe to work for the cause.

“In my thirty years with The Salvation Army, I have worked with hundreds of amazing people.  There are, however, a handful that were so special that they made a lasting impact on my life.  Joe was one of those people. When he committed to something, he was ALL IN. He spent his entire life going ALL IN with everything he did. His work with The Salvation Army was only a single chapter in his lifelong quest to help people.

When I first asked Joe to work with our beneficiaries, helping them with their rent and utilities, he agreed to do it “as long as I don’t have to do kettles”.  I promised him that we had someone to raise the money through kettles, we only needed him to spend the money helping people in need in Swanton. One week before kettles started, my volunteer came down with a serious health issue and had to pull out.  I called Joe in a panic. I told him “I know I promised you would not have to do kettles, but could you help me find someone who would?  He said, “no problem, I will do it”.  Now historically, we raised between $5,000 and $6,000 each year.  Joe raised $15,000 in his first year! 

At that point, we were off to the races.  Joe took it on with the fervor that only Joe could do.  If he didn’t have someone scheduled, he rang the bell himself.  On Christmas Eve, he donned a tux as a thank you to the community for their generosity. We have 13 Kroger’s in the five-county area we serve, and Joe wanted the Kroger in Swanton to be the top kettle raiser. And most years the Kroger in Swanton was the #1 kettle raiser.

I’ve heard from several people that when they hear that bell ringing, they think of Joe.  I DO TOO!  I consider myself blessed that I got to know and work with such an incredible man.”

Photo: Swanton residents Danielle and Harvey Marvin were the first to man the Gold Kettle this week