Salvation Army annual campaign kicks off Friday / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Salvation Army leaders hope to collect $108,000 in fundraiser

The Salvation Army will begin ringing bells this week as its Christmas campaign gets underway. The organization is hoping to raise $108,000 this year to help the poor and homeless.

By Will DuPree

November 4, 2009

The familiar ring of Salvation Army bells will sound again Friday as the agency kicks off its annual Christmas Campaign.

The Salvation Army will set up its Red Kettles around Lawrence and Douglas County to collect donations.

“It’s the familiar and traditional Red Kettles that you see out all over town,” Capt. Wesley Dalberg said. “With those donations, we help people during the holidays with food and toys and all sorts of things.”

Locally, Salvation Army officials hope to raise $108,000. This is $6,000 more than last year’s goal, which it managed to meet.

“I believe that people are genuinely generous,” Dalberg said. “Even though times are tough for everybody, I have a confidence that the community’s going to rally around the cause and really reach out and help people.”

If you’d like to volunteer as a bell ringer, call the Lawrence Salvation Army at 843-4188. They will set you up with a location, a date and a time.

“It adds not only to helping people,” Dalberg said about volunteering, “but it also gives you a sense of the Christmas spirit and helps you feel a little more hands-on that you’ve really done something to help.”

Dalberg said the Salvation Army could use as many volunteers as possible, but they also hire paid bell ringers. To apply, go to Sedona Staffing Services, 825 Vt.