December 28, 2016 at 2:48 p.m.
Salvation Army bell ringing campaign comes to a close
Over $32,000 donated to those in need
Salvation Army bell ringing campaign comes to a close
By Kayla Thomason-
"We are so very grateful to everyone who volunteered to ring the bell, and gave of their time during the busy holiday season," Kim Swisher, 2016 Red Kettle coordinator, said in a press release. "This year, we had 83 volunteers fill approximately 65 percent of the bell ringing shifts at Trig's and Walmart."
Volunteers at Shopko filled shifts Monday through Saturday for five weeks, she added.
In addition to the many families that rang the bell, businesses and organizations got into the spirit, including Bear Den of Cub Scout Pack 660, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, RIA's Peewee Team, Rhinelander GM, School District of Rhinelander faculty and staff, Park City Credit Union, WJFW and WPS.
"We are grateful to Duff Damos, Mike Michalak and Scott King at NRG Media for helping us kick off the season," Swisher added. "We would also like to thank Bambi Guth at Taco John's for her extraordinary efforts throughout the year, as well as everyone at Ripco Credit Union for all of your efforts."
She also extended thanks to Shopko, Trig's and Walmart for allowing ringers on their property.
"We are incredibly thankful to everyone who donated to the kettles, and to everyone who has mailed us contributions," Swisher said. "Early totals show that we have raised $32,722.21. This is $7,277.79 short of our goal of $40,000."
Final totals are expected by the end of the week, she added.
The annual Rhinelander Salvation Army Bell Ringing campaign is coordinated by Jan Leschke, Tom Jerow and Tom Doyle. These tireless volunteers coordinate bell ringing schedules, kettle pick-ups and drop offs to Ripco Credit Union, and personally filled many open shifts, Swisher said.
Leschke, coordinator for the Shopko location, has been volunteering for years and has heard many heartwarming stories about the impact the organization has had on the community.
"You hear, as you're ringing, you hear so many, many good stories about how the Salvation Army has helped someone's family in the past, their grandparents, somebody that was in a war, and the Salvation Army didn't charge anybody anything for what they gave these people," she said.
"My friend who is on the board said last year or the year before 'We are all one disaster away from needing Salvation Army ourselves,' and that's really true," she added.
This year, one individual bell ringer donated a lot of her time to the cause and spent many hours out in the cold.
"We would like to recognize and thank Aprelle Rawski, who covered 28 shifts and rang 42 hours this season," Swisher said in her press release.
"I really do enjoy doing it, and have for a few years now, and each year I keep adding a little more," Rawski told the River News.
Rawski always rings at Trig's and tries to get the same shift time, as she sees many familiar faces and it warms her heart to see them doing well.
"I get to see a lot of people I haven't seen since summer," she said. "I get to see a lot of the same people year after year and that's been really nice."
Rawski said passersby have offered her coffee and brushed the snow off of her when she "looks like Frosty the Snowman."
Like Leschke, Rawski has heard stories from those who have needed help from the Salvation Army or know those who have.
"It's probably one of the best organizations out there, I think," she said. "They will be there for you, the Salvation Army, and I think that's the most important thing (for people to know)."
When Rawski was a child her family experienced a house fire. They were lucky to have family blocks away that could assist them, but for those who don't have family close by, the Salvation Army is incredibly helpful.
People can still donate, and may do so by mailing checks to the Rhinelander Salvation Army, Post Office Box 1081, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
From each donation, $0.86 of every $1 donated stays in Rhinelander to provide emergency services including housing, medical and transportation assistance. Housing services include temporary shelter, and emergency utility and rent assistance. Transportation assistance includes gas cards or help with repairs. Medical assistance frequently includes help with life-saving prescription medications.
Leschke said she supports the Salvation Army because 83 percent of each dollar stays in the area and helps friends, neighbors and other community members.
"The remaining $0.14 is used for state and national emergency relief efforts," Swisher said. "This past summer, the Salvation Army was deployed to Northern Wisconsin to help our neighbors who suffered devastation from the floods."
Swisher also announced that the Salvation Army is coordinating regionally with veteran services agencies to assist homeless veterans.
"What we will be doing is be able to provide voucher funds for emergency assistance for veterans," Tom Bremer, field representative with the Salvation Army said. "It's really nice that we are able to provide those services because that's something new and if we can't take care of our veterans it would be a sad state of affairs if we couldn't."
He is excited to see how the program grows and all the good it will do.
"The issue of homelessness, whether it's a veteran or not, is a pretty significant issue for northern Wisconsin so we will do everything we can to be able to alleviate some of the problems that we have with homelessness," he said.
Bremer wants people to know that the Salvation Army has a history of working with veterans, but that they will help anyone in need.
The Rhinelander Salvation Army works with Rhinelander ACES (Area Churches for Emergency Services) to use donations in an efficient and effective manner.
ACES is comprised of Calvary Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, Grace Northwoods, Immanuel Lutheran, Nativity of Our Lord and Trinity Lutheran.
Comments:
You must login to comment.