Salvation Army needs bell ringers

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign is not seeing the "rapid boil" it needs to help the unprecedented number of families asking for assistance this holiday season, said Major Art Penhale, Corp Officer for The Salvation Army in Lee and Hendry counties. This annual signature fundraiser for The Army is essential to support existing comprehensive social service programs and holiday assistance efforts. Kettle reports at the end of three weeks show only fair results.

With only less than three weeks left to ring (Dec. 24 is the last day), The Army is only at 38 percent of its 2008 goal.

"Our goal this year is $500,000, an increase of 10 percent over last year's fundraiser. The needs, on the other hand, have increased 30 percent," said Major Penhale.

The red kettle campaign supports The Army's Christmas Cheer program where families register for assistance with holiday gifts and food. For years, donations have enabled The Army to provide each child in the family with new toys, books and a stocking. In addition, a turkey and all the trimmings are provided so that families can prepare a meal at home. Aside from families in need, The Army also provides gifts and food baskets to shut-ins and to the elderly during the holidays. Last year, more than 17,000 people received help from the Christmas Cheer campaign.

Volunteers can sign up to ring bells during the day and early evenings from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No bell ringing takes place on Sundays. To join this community Army as a volunteer bell ringer, call 278-1551.