Salvation Army needs holiday bell-ringers

Do you have an hour or two to spare?

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help it surpass last year's bell-ringing holiday fundraising campaign total.

The volunteers are needed to help ring bells in order to help families and children in the Brainerd lakes area.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Salvation Army recently reported it will try to meet a $100,000 bell-ringing/kettle campaign goal for the 2007 bell-ringing season. In 2006, the Salvation Army exceeded the previous year's bell-ringing goal by $3,637, raising $97,780 for the 2006 campaign. The 2007 campaign will start Nov. 16 and run through Dec. 24.

The campaign goal for kettles, add-a-dollar fundraiser and countertop kettles will be $100,000. The Salvation Army came in at 98 percent of its goal in 2006. Although, it didn't quite make its goal in 2006, a couple of larger checks came in right after the campaign ended to cover the goal shortfall.

"We are very pleased with last year's results and will strive toward this $100,000 goal for 2007. This community is so good about stepping forward and helping those in need," said Capt. Brian Reed, Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army Corps officer/pastor.

"Our promise to this community is to serve human needs with the resources that we are given. We are grateful to have the trust of the community to meet people's needs and to do a little bit more beyond that with presenting the love of Jesus Christ."

If you would like to volunteer your time to help ring bells for the Salvation Army, call Debbie at 829-1120.

In 2007, volunteers at the manned kettles logged 1,736 hours of bell ringing. A highlight of the campaign, again this year, will be meeting a major goal of getting a high percentage of volunteers to help ring bells at all locations. The Salvation Army is again challenging service clubs, area churches, businesses, school groups and individuals to volunteer at the kettle locations.

"We have some great volunteers and civic-minded groups in our community that care about helping people. It was tremendous to see the response of all the volunteers that came forward to help in 2006. We know our community will step forward again in 2007," said Brian Lehman, bell-ringing and kettle campaign co-chair. Although the Salvation Army had fewer volunteer hours logged in 2006, the Salvation Army exceeded its previous year's campaign financial goal. A total of 1,736 volunteer hours during a 31-day campaign were logged compared to 1,901 hours in 2005.

Money the Salvation Army raises in its annual Christmas campaign helps fund the local ministries year-round that are offered at the Brainerd Lakes Area Salvation Army. It gave out more than 190,000 pounds of food through the food shelf ministry in 2006.

During the 2006 Christmas season, with distribution of Angel Tree and Adopt-A-Family gifts and Christmas dinner food baskets, the Salvation Army served 637 households, 1,998 individuals and 987 children.

"The support we receive from this wonderful, caring community, along with the ongoing partnership with Toys for Kids, is the foundation that makes our outreach successful," said Bonnie Sahf, Family Services director.

"Thank you area businesses, media, area churches, schools, service groups, and individuals for your support throughout the year."