Salvation Army Needs More Bell Ringers

The Rochester Salvation Army reports that the next five weeks are critical to its stated Christmas Campaign and first quarter goal of $1.05 million. One-half of all Red Kettle bell ringing hours remain to be scheduled for December, and the overall campaign is approximately $25,000 short of the pace required to finish the calendar year above the standard set for the October to December period.

As of Monday, Nov. 18, total Red Kettle donations topped $74,000. This is approximately $500 behind the 2012 total in the same period that included the earlier ‘Black Friday’ and post-Thanksgiving holiday weekend last year.

2013 Campaign Chair Al Mannino told Jane Belau of The Belau Report today,

“We need everyone to consider an hour or two at a kettle. When we have someone ringing or dancing or singing we will see fifty, eighty, up to one hundred dollars per hour in donations. When the kettle is not staffed – literally just pocket change.”

Rochester Salvation Army officer Major Jim Frye further explained that over 30 percent of the entire year’s local budget is received during the Christmas Campaign months.
“We are serving clients who may not have the means to celebrate this season of giving, but we have a wonderful community filled with supportive and generous people. That’s Rochester,” said Major Frye.
The immediate need is for Friday and Saturday bell ringers after the Thanksgiving Day holiday, traditionally the busiest shopping days of the year. Volunteers may use the online system www.registertoring.com or call The Salvation Army at 507-288-3663 to ring a bell at one of over three dozen area locations. 250 hours of bell ringing time is available between ‘Black Friday’ and Saturday, Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, 2013.
The Rochester Salvation Army still needs to fill 2,500 December bell ringing hours at both outdoor and indoor locations. A family, civic group, faith organization or employee group can sign up to five ringers at one time for one Red Kettle. Individuals and groups are urged to register for at least two hours but some one hour shifts may be available.
Each two hour shift can raise $100 on average, and this revenue stays local to feed, shelter and clothe several individuals in need. Visit www.RochesterSA.org for more information.