CUSTER COUNTY–The holiday season is upon us and red kettles will soon be around to collect funds which support neighbors in need. Give the gift of your time to help others this holiday season by ringing bells for the Salvation Army! Red kettles can be spotted throughout Custer County and anyone can volunteer to ring bells from Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 24.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w20Ur_k9q81W8kGd0Dx3-IU3fyFoE5_PtJe73KVLJA8/edit#gid=0
In a 2019 interview with KCNI/KBBN, Salvation Army representative Carol Allen said local bell ringing began in the area in 2002 and raised about $600. More than $12,000 was raised in 2017. The Salvation Army of Custer County aims to once again raise money to support local projects.
“We use the money to help people in the community, which is always our goal,” Carol Allen said. “We need volunteers to help ring those bells so that we can help others.”
Ninety percent of funds raised in local red kettles stay in Custer County. There will be bell ringing stations at Gary’s Superfoods, Grocery Kart, and Orscheln Farm & Home in Broken Bow. There will also be counter-top kettles in surrounding communities.
Volunteers can sign up online (click here to view the link) for two-hour shifts any day of the week except Sundays. Volunteers can sign up as individuals, families, businesses, church groups, or organizations. Children are welcome to ring too! They encourage people to have fun with their shift by singing, playing music, wearing Santa hats, etc. as desired. Volunteers are also asked to wear masks when ringing bells.
The Salvation Army of Custer County uses red kettle donations throughout the year to help with a wide variety of projects: Back-to-School Book Bag program, Santa Cop, swim lessons, food pantries, senior meals, youth activities, Diaper Depot, weekend backpack programs, college textbooks for area foster students, book fairs, year-round support for individuals needing assistance with vision, dental, and prescription services. Funds are also designated to help emergency victims of vehicle breakdowns of people traveling through town, fires, floods, and other disasters.
To register for Salvation Army Bell Ringing, call
Mo Hunsberger: 308-870-1406
Cheryl Smith: 308-872-0044
Carol Allen: 308-870-4397
Julie Toline: 402-677-9323
