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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, November 20, 2009 9:41 PM CST
Bundle up, ring a bell to help needy

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

The Salvation Army bell-ringing campaign had plenty of doughnuts Friday morning, but more volunteers are needed to fill some holes at the red kettle stations.

The kickoff of the campaign at three locations produced about $300 during three hours Friday, starting at 6 a.m. This was only a third of last year’s total during a similar bell-ringing blitz that also passed out doughnuts and coffee to donors.

“It was a moral victory for us. We made much less but we made a lot of new friends down in Toledo. That was good,” said Salvation Army Captain Matt Osborn on Friday.

Julia Griffin, 10, of Charleston had the right idea for coming out at sunup for the bell-ringing at the Mattoon Familty Video Store lot, which offered a station site for the Salvation Army.

“I’m here because some other kids can’t have what we have. So I think it’s nice to help them,” Griffin said as she worked the site with her mother and siblings on a cold, foggy morning.

“”I’ve got three layers of clothes on. Four, if you include my pants,” Julia said of her preparations for the duty before her school day started.

The bells started ringing at many kettle stations in Mattoon and Charleston later Friday. They will keep collecting donations through Christmas Eve. The money helps needy families and individuals in Coles and Cumberland counties.

Some bell ringers have been hired to raise money at the kettles, but Captain Osborn said volunteers are urgently needed to draw in more donations.

“It is really a good opportunity to serve the community. Volunteers can add their enthusiasm to the effort,” Osborn said.

Volunteers can call 234-3915 to sign up. Many times and station locations are open right now.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $130,000. This money helps provide food and assistance on shelter and utilities for those in need in the two counties.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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Happy Times wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:57 AM:

" Hi Julia, Thanks for helping the Salvation Army. Your friends in Charleston. "

~STRANGER~ wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:18 PM:

" Since over 75% of the country"s population now uses credit cards, of some sort, that has to be a huge impact on the S.Armies continued efforts or does it? Just curious. "

hector19 wrote on Nov 22, 2009 10:29 AM:

" Since over 75% of the country"s population now uses credit cards, of some sort, that has to be a huge impact on the S.Armies continued efforts or does it? Just curious. "

Not that I know of maybe a little . I was out bell ringing n friday and was impressed on how generous and kind people was . "

Mama says wrote on Nov 22, 2009 3:51 PM:

" I am glad the mother goes to protect her children. It is wonderful the family is going and doing this. God bless you one and all. "

Becky wrote on Nov 23, 2009 3:15 PM:

" Here's another one of our youth who contribute to our community. Thanks Julia. You're doing a wonderful thing. So are the rest of you bell ringers out there. "

devilishangel61401 wrote on Nov 23, 2009 6:01 PM:

" Bless all of you bell ringers may your kettle's be full of donations this season. "