Salvation Army Recruiting Bell Ringers
- KVSH
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
As Thanksgiving celebrations come to an end, most of the area’s residents are gearing up for their holiday and Christmas activities. It is a good time to reflect on our fortunes and those of the people around us. The holidays are a time for giving thanks and showing kindness to others. The Salvation Army is dedicated to helping those in need and is asking for community volunteers to ring the red kettle bell this holiday season. Last year, roughly 20 or so local community members and organizations volunteered to stand outside, braving biting winds and chilling temperatures to ring bells asking for donations. Since the Salvation Army first began collecting donations in kettles in the late 1800s, the organization has relied on volunteers to do the bulk of its bell ringing.
The bell-ringing season starts each year, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs through Christmas Eve, when the red kettles are packed away for the season. The Salvation Army is totally reliant on donations, and volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries or shelter an individual for a night. How is the money used? Money raised by bell-ringers stays local, 90% stays in Cherry County for community support, and only 10% goes toward administration. In 2024, Cherry County volunteer bell-ringers raised $ 4,876. This money went to the Northwest Community Action Partnership, which serves approximately 96-100 people in our communities per month. The bulk of this is through their food pantry, whose clientele tends to gravitate towards the elderly and retired.
Who can bell ring? Anyone! Again this year, the Valentine Lions Club is partnering with the Salvation Army to coordinate the 2025 bell-ringer campaign in Valentine. We are looking for individuals, businesses, organizations, or community groups that would be willing to assist as this year’s bell-ringers. In Valentine, the bell-ringers can ring any day, Monday through Saturday and anytime that area businesses are open during the collection season. Volunteers are asked to commit two hours at a time, but even an hour of your time can have a huge impact on the amount of money that is collected.
In 2024, we had fewer bell–ringers and it was reflected in our kettle campaign, raising only half of the over $8,000 that had been raised during the two previous years’ bell-ringing campaigns. The 2025 bell-ringing campaign is now scheduling volunteers to reach our $8,000 goal! If you, your family, or your group would like to help with this year’s campaign, please get in touch with Valentine Lions Club Member: Wendy Murphy 307-286-6144 to get on the schedule. Or you may sign-up online at: https://form.jotform.com/mtngal6/volunteer-bell-ringer-sign-up-form or by scanning the QR Code below. To register for a 2-hour time slot, you will need to sign-up twice.
Your time could make the difference in a person’s life, please consider participating in the 2025 bell-ringing campaign as a bell-ringer and a donor.
Happy Holidays from the Valentine Lions Club and the Salvation Army!
