December 11, 2015 at 4:36 p.m.
Salvation Army volunteers revel in the holiday spirit
Bell ringing to continue until Christmas Eve
Salvation Army volunteers revel in the holiday spirit
By Kayla Thomason-
In the Rhinelander area, bell ringers can be see outside several different stores, beckoning shoppers to celebrate the season by giving to others.
Jon Langlois has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army for three years. This year he has been stationed outside Walmart.
In the first half hour of a recent shift, 25 to 30 people dropped a donation in the bucket, he said.
"It's a privilege (to ring for the Salvation Army)," he said. "I love it. It gets you ready for the Christmas spirit. The people are so generous and so giving. I just love doing it. Just seeing those people, getting the chance to greet them, them greeting me, it just makes your day."
Terri St. Catherine has been ringing for five years. This is her third year at Shopko.
"I love it," she said. "I'm just amazed at the generosity of people."
The Salvation Army is always looking for more ringers. St. Catherine noted individuals who would like to volunteer their time ringing can find a sheet at her station.
"We just have some sheets here," she said. "If anyone would like to be a bell ringer they can just give a call."
Over at Trig's two women were ringing for the first time.
Michelle Kieffer, office manager, and Sharon Papapetru, real estate agent, for Century 21 Pine Point Reality volunteered on Salvation Army Realtor Ring Day earlier this month.
"We like (ringing for the Salvation Army)," Papapetru said. "It's great because we know the money stays here."
A dozen people made a contribution during the first half hour of the women's shift. Several bell ringers mentioned the mild weather this winter has made for comfortable bell ringing.
"(The weather is) beautiful today," Kieffer said.
Despite the wonderfully generous donations, the Salvation Army is still short of its $30,000 goal. As of Dec. 4, $11,142.67 has been collected.
Last year, a total of $25,860.51 was raised, which was below their goal.
"These donations allowed us to provide emergency assistance to 355 adults and children," said Kim Swisher, 2015 Red Kettle Campaign Coordinator. "Emergency assistance includes housing, transportation and medical emergency services. We have seen an increase in utility and medical assistance, especially with senior citizens in need of prescription help. As the need has grown, we are actively trying to raise $30,000 for the coming year of services."
Eight-six cents of every $1 stays in Rhinelander, Swisher said. The remaining money goes toward state and national relief efforts.
"The need is greater than ever (for these donations)," said Jan Leschke, bell ringing coordinator for Shopko.
The Salvation Army has formed an alliance with some area churches.
"We have partnered with Rhinelander ACES (Area Churches for Emergency Services) to use contributions in an even more efficient and effective manner," Swisher said. "Recognizing the increased need, eight churches have come together to work with the Rhinelander Salvation Army to create a unified effort to serve our community."
The churches are North Country Vineyard Church, Trinity Lutheran, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grace Foursquare, First United Methodist, Calvary Baptist and First Congregational UCC.
Even the schools get involved in the bell ringing season. The School District of Rhinelander is holding its annual bell-ringing competition.
Each school and administrative staff rings for the Salvation Army. At the end of their competition the shifts are tallied and the school or administration that has donated the most time wins a bell trophy.
"There are many ways of giving," Leschke said. "It feels good, it feels good."
Bell ringers can be found at Walmart, Shopko and Trig's Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Donations may also be mailed to the Rhinelander Salvation Army at P.O. Box 1081, Rhinelander, WI 54501 or made securely online at https://www.onlineredkettle.org/rhinelander.
For those who would like to try bell ringing, there are a total of 384 shifts available at Trig's and Walmart, with 101 shift that were or are scheduled to be filled.
The volunteer slots at Shopko are nearly full, due to the perks of that station.
"People like Shopko because it's inside and there's a chair and they can sit down. And if people get too cold they can go inside and warm up and they're out of the elements," said Leschke.
"We appreciate Shopko doing this because they are really the only ones that will let you inside," she added.
Shifts are 90 minutes long and people can choose to ring between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday up until Christmas Eve.
To ring at Trig's or Walmart, visit the Salvation Army's online schedule at http://oneidawi.volunteerfirst.org. For those who would like to ring at Shopko, call Leschke at (715) 362-7157.
"If people could donate their time or money we appreciate that because if we can get shifts filled with ringers (that) means a whole lot," she said. "This is our main fundraiser so we have to do it now or that's it."
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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