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Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:03 PM CST
Salvation Army leaders still calling for bell-ringing volunteers
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — Salvation Army volunteers will kick off the 2009 bell-ringing campaign in three communities and two counties next week.
But more volunteers are needed to keep the bells ringing to collect for the cause that helps hundreds of families throughout Coles and Cumberland counties throughout the year. The bells start ringing at 6 a.m. on Nov. 20 outside the Family Video stores in Mattoon and Charleston and the Toledo Democrat newspaper office in Cumberland County. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served to donors that morning.
“Last year, we raised more than $800 in two locations and that was with all that rain. And we didn’t have power in Charleston so we were in the dark that morning,” said Tricia Coffey, office manager for the Salvation Army of Coles and Cumberland counties.
This is the third year the Salvation Army has taken its three-hour kickoff effort outside with free doughnuts. The doughnuts were a tribute to the World War I effort to serve the troops in the trenches with doughnuts and coffee. However, the pastries will not be homemade this year due to issues last year.
“We had some problems with soggy doughnuts that morning,” Coffey said.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for ringing the bells can call the Salvation Army office at 234-3915. The red kettles will be at the local Walmarts, Walgreens, County Market grocery stores, Rural King stores, the Mattoon Big Lots, CVS Pharmacy, Cross County Mall, and the Toledo Democrat office. All but one kettle will be outside, so volunteers should be dressed for the weather.
“When you call up you’re better off to have an idea of a time and place,” Coffey said.
Clubs and organizations, businesses, classes and families can volunteer, in addition to individuals. Salvation Army leaders encourage groups to set up challenges between each other to increase donations, Coffey said. The organization also hires people for bell-ringing work as well.
The goal of the Salvation Holiday Drive this year is $135,000. That money is spread out through the year to help the needy of the two counties.
Last year, the local Salvation Army unit served 1,279 families and provided services to 2,660 different individuals. The services include food and rent and utility assistance.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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Mama says wrote on Nov 15, 2009 11:13 AM:
Not be as much as would think on gas.
Can get a plug in blanket, that plugs in cig. lighter keep warm also. AND take your lighter plugin hot pot for hot cocoa or coffee. Home sweet home then. "