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The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign nears final weekend for bellringing

The Salvation Army
12/17/20 10:31am
city Nonprofit Dispatches

This dispatch was added by one of our Nonprofit Neighbors. It does not represent the editorial voice of The Rapidian or Community Media Center.

With less than a week remaining, The Salvation Army encourages all who are interested in ringing bells to sign up now. The needs of many families across Kent County is greater than ever before. With less kettles available, and less bell ringers, The Salvation Army needs help!
Grand Rapids Fire Department is ringing bells at Macy’s throughout this week.

Grand Rapids Fire Department is ringing bells at Macy’s throughout this week. /A/Capt. Mika Roinila

The Salvation Army has less than one week to raise support through bell-ringing efforts.

While volunteers for bell ringing are down along with the number of kettle locations in the city, The Salvation Army nears the final weekend of its Christmas Campaign with hopes of finishing strong. Several service clubs are spening hours in ringing bells, and several new volunteers have stepped up to help. Time is running out for volunteering. Please consider giving your time for a 2-hour shift at one of the 38 red kettle locations in the city. Sign up on www.registertoring.com.

Father-son team of Jeff and Drew VanderWall ringing at Macy's.

Father-son team of Jeff and Drew VanderWall ringing at Macy's. /A/Capt. Mika Roinila

Bell ringing for The Salvation Army’s “Rescue Christmas” Campaign is coming up to its last weekend. This Friday and Saturday, along with the last three days before Christmas Eve will be the last chance that people will have in filling the kettles with much needed money.

“We’ve had less kettles out this year than last year. And across the Western Michigan/Northern Indiana Division, the number of kettles and bell ringers has dropped” notes A/Captain Mika Roinila. “We’re trying to do more with much less. But God is good. We have a great bell-ringing crew here in Grand Rapids and we’re excited to see what happens in the last week."

There has been more interest among service clubs in the “Golden Kettle” competition. The Kentwood Rotary Club, Pilots for Christ, as well as the Golden “K” Kiwanis Club have all added several more shifts of bell ringing as they compete against each other. Final results of the contest won’t be known December 28. 

The Grand Rapids Fire Department has been ringing bells at the Woodland Mall location of Macy’s throughout this week and hope to receive much support from shoppers. "I hope that the fire, police, and ambulance departments get involved in their own inter-departmental competition. The Salvation Army will be happy to monitor and award a winning group with their own “Golden Boot” award!" adds Roinila. Let’s see what Grand Rapids can develop for next year. It’s never too early to start making plans. Perhaps the chiefs could consider this for next year!

Interested bell-ringers can still sign up at www.registertoring.com. Most locations are indoors, which makes ringing a little bit easier.  For the many who will benefit from the local support of The Salvation Army, we thank everyone for helping us help “Rescue Christmas”.

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