Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army beats kettle goal

The Brainerd Lakes Area Salvation Army Tuesday announced that it surpassed its Christmas kettle fundraising goal of $103,000.

Major Jeff Strickler, Salvation Army corps officer, said the total kettle income stood at $107,235.97, exceeding the goal by $4,235.97.

"This was no small feat," Stricker said. "We thank God, our many volunteer bell ringers and all of the donors who helped make this possible. We also thank all of our area media who publicized our ongoing need for volunteer bell ringers. Our bell ringing volunteer hours totaled 1,597 hours, up by 400 hours compared to last year. This made a big difference in our making this years' kettle goal."

Here are the bell ringing standings based upon the number of volunteer hours:

• Service Club/Volunteer Organizations (Top 15): Brainerd Rotary, Lakes Area Noontime Sertoma Club, Kiwanis Club of Brainerd, Lake Hubert Community Grange, Lakes Area Human Resources, Garrison Lions, Baxter Lions, Sunrise Rotary Club, Masons Club, Brainerd Firefighters, Cub Scouts Pack 74, Nisswa Volunteer Firefighters, Boy Scout Troop 75, Baxter Sandpipers 4-H Club and National Guard Armory, 194th Battalion.

• Businesses (Top 10): Edina Realty, Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Pepsi, Brainerd Lakes Broadcasting (WJJY, 106.7 FM), Oakridge Homes, Brainerd Lunkers, MCBI Radio Stations (KTIG and 100.1 FM), Brainerd Savings and Loan, Lutheran Social Services Youth Services and Timberbay.

• Church organizations (Top 15): Teen Challenge, Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, St. Mathias Catholic Church, Timberwood Church, First Lutheran Church, Salem Lutheran Church, Church of the Nazarene, Journey North Church, Good Shepherd Church, First Presbyterian Church, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. Francis Catholic Church, Lakeside Baptist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and New Light United Methodist Church.

• School Groups (Top 10): Brainerd Warrior Volleyball Club, College of St. Scholastica, Pillager High School, Pequot High School Interact Club, Onamia High School, Forestview Middle School, St. Francis of the Lakes School, Brainerd High School, LCC Conference and Central Lakes College.

• Individuals, Honorable Mentions (Top 15): Ida Fuller, Shane Wanons, Don Saxum, Pam Henderson, John Gunstad, Terry Conradt, Jeremy Sumerlin, Ron Davis, Kevin McQuire, Kevin VanVickle, Shelly Schmaltz, Brady Niskanen, Zach Bedell, Tom Bercher and Bruce Ewert.

Strickler reported that a total of 195 different individuals participated in bell ringing this season in the individual category.