Salvation Army pleas for more bell ringing teams

"Bell ringer volunteer teams are still needed to fill numerous slots at kettle sites," announced Rick Damore, field representative for The Salvation Army's Service Units in Monroe County. "With the lagging economy comes additional hardship for families in this county. Bill ringing teams from companies, clubs and families, which would raise funds to help such families, would be a true God-send during this holiday season."

"Teams can come in any shape and size - from senior citizens to cub scouts; a department from a local company to a school's Honor Society. A team could be two people - grandpa and grandson, or twenty members of the local Chamber of Commerce or college sorority," added Damore. "They could ring for a few hours, or a whole day.

"If every church, school, business and civic organization in this community were to send one team of four people, we could fill every slot available at the Red Kettle site; but more importantly, those people who truly need a safety net in times of crisis would be assured of having access to services."

Individuals are also invited to ring the bells, said Damore. "We rely on them very heavily to insure that sites are covered from morning to night, Monday to Saturday."

Money donated during the Red Kettle Campaign is used for emergency and disaster services locally, to send needy children to camp and other special help projects.

In Monroe County, The Salvation Army provides services to people in crisis through its Service Unit Committees in Brockport, Churchville, Fairport, Hilton, Honeoye Falls, Scottsville. They also provide assistance to the following communities: Adams Basin, Clarkson, Spencerport, Clifton, North Chili, East Rochester, Hamlin, Walker, Industry, West Rush, Rush, Mendon, Ionia, Mumford. The closest Salvation Army facilities are located in Rochester Area Services.

For information call toll free 1-877-733-6041. Information on volunteering is also available on-line at www.redkettles.org. Bell ringers are needed in the surrounding counties as well. Volunteers can call the toll free number.