Captains Mike and Cathy Michels on Serving West Virginia All Year

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Captain Mike and Captain Cathy Michels at the second annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Classic. Mike tells me they have nearly 20 teams on the course enjoying the day and raising money for programs across seven counties, including youth centers, rent and utility assistance, and homeless outreach. Cathy shares that last year’s tournament was hit by a hurricane but supporters still came, and she is grateful to see them return in good weather. We discuss how the golf tournament started when board members saw success in other areas and decided to bring it here, and Mike explains that while Christmas kettles are their biggest fundraiser, events like this keep the work going all year. Cathy says Charleston feels like home since both she and Mike are from West Virginia, and they understand the people they serve. Mike closes by previewing the opening of the youth center in Saint Albans, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for kettle season, and their focus on helping families and children through the holidays while supporting programs year-round.