The Salvation Army is in need of bell ringers

MONTEZUMA — The snow had started to fall as Bonnie Cox of Montezuma and a Montezuma student stood outside the town Memorial Hall ringing the Salvation Army bells.

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It’s was the town’s Christmas celebration, Saturday, Dec. 6, and the two, along with other volunteer bell ringers, kept the Red Kettle Campaign going all day, starting early that morning with the arrival of Santa.

Cox said this was her third time ringing the bell that day. “It’s hard to find bell ringers,” she said.

Bruce Blankenfeld, the volunteer bell ringing coordinator with the Poweshiek County Salvation Army Service Extension Unit #261, agreed, saying there is a need.

“It’s some weekdays that ringers are needed,” Blankenfeld said. Most of the weekends until Christmas are filled.

Bell ringers are needed at Grinnell Walmart, Fareway and Hy-Vee.

When there is a shortage, Blankenfeld will often place the red kettle inside the store until the next bell ringer arrives. And sometimes, he will move all the ringers to Walmart if there is a shortage of bell ringers.

“Some days I don’t ring at all three stores because I don’t have enough bell ringers,” said Blankenfeld.

Darla Wilson, chairman of the Poweshiek County Salvation Army, said being a bell ringer is a good way to get children involved in serving their community.

“They can easily work shortened shifts and warm up inside the store or with a parent in the car,” said Wilson. “Kids love handing out peppermints to donators or even singing Christmas carols as they ring that bell.”

Bell ringing started the Friday after Thanksgiving and will continue until 3 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Last year, the Salvation Army in Poweshiek County raised $15,000, mostly through the Red Kettle Campaign. Blankenfeld said the goal this year is to raise $20,000.

“I try to raise a little more each year,” said Blankenfeld.

All funds raised provide temporary or emergency welfare assistance to individuals and families in the Poweshiek County. It’s the same for all counties.

Service extension units may also apply to the Omaha district office for special projects to be funded. These projects should be addressing needs that cannot be met by any other means.

Ninety percent of the funds raised in the county stays in the county. The other 10% being sent to the main office in Omaha.

The Salvation Army fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 — Sept.30.

According to Wilson, the budget for providing assistance and special projects consists of the money raised from the Red Kettle bell ringing campaign during the Christmas season and any other special funding that the unit may have such as community fund drives, personal giving and trusts.

“During the last fiscal year, 48 assistances were extended,” said Karen Meek, co-welfare secretary with Secretary Annette Deering with the local Salvation Army.

“Of these, 16 were from the Grinnell area, five from the BGM area, 22 from Montezuma and five from other areas within the county. These helps include assistance with rent, utilities, storage rent due to eviction and water and sewer.”

In addition, three special projects totaling $3,417.39 were accomplished after committee members suspected a need. Most recently, two refrigeration units were purchased from S & S Appliance for Connections in Grinnell, formerly known as Station Clubhouse, where an average of 15 adults participate daily in this peer drop-in center.

Meek said it was wonderful opportunity to help an organization that has done much good over many years.

In June, just before the relocation grand opening of the Brooklyn Food Pantry, a 21-cubic foot convertible upright freezer was purchased from Roudabush Electronics & Appliances.

“It was a dream come true for Mary Carlson, director of the pantry, to finally have adequate room and infrastructure to properly serve the community in need,” said Wilson.

Carlson said that an average of 70 households are served each month through the food pantry in Brooklyn.

“With continued growth, more cold space was necessary,” said Carlson.

The Montezuma American Legion Post #169 completed construction of its new building in May. Commander Ron Hensel said the process was a long-term goal accomplished through fundraising and grant writing.

When asked what may be needed in the final stages of completion, Hensel and his wife Bea suggested a commercial dishwasher.

“The Salvation Army committee was glad to accommodate our veterans and their future plans for use of the building,” said Wilson.

About 97% of the last fiscal budget has been invested back into the lives and businesses of Poweshiek County.

“When you give to the Red Kettle at locations such as Grinnell Walmart, Hy-Vee and Fareway, it truly does stay local and rings true to the Salvation Army motto of ‘doing the most good,’” said Wilson.

Blankenfeld said the bell ringers that give of their time in the inclement winter weather make a difference for those in need across the county.

There is still time to ring the bell this holiday season. If interested, contact Blankenfeld by phone or text at 641-990-1152.

In addition to dropping money in the red kettles, donations can be made by scanning the bar code with this article. Donations may also be made at the First Presbyterian Church at 303 E. Washington St., Montezuma during week days.

“The giving of one hour of a person’s time makes a difference in someone’s life,” says the Salvation Army.