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Bell ringers needed

Salvation Army seeks volunteers for seasonal fundraiser

Salvation Army items are pictured during the organization's Red Kettle campaign kick-off event earlier this year. (Journal photo by Amy Grigas)

MARQUETTE — One sure sign of Christmas is Salvation Army bell ringers in their red aprons outside of local businesses encouraging all to contribute to the charitable organization.

There is a great need for bell ringers this year, said Neil Jandron, a member of the Salvation Army’s advisory board.

Volunteers are needed to ring for shifts, a minimum of two hours, at different locations throughout the county in Marquette at Econo Foods, Super One Foods, Walgreens, Walmart and T.J. Maxx, as well as Super One Foods in Negaunee, Jim’s Jubilee Foods IGA in Ishpeming and more.

“A new program this year that Salvation Army has started in conjunction with my store, Jandrons Fine Jewelry, is called Ring for Bling,” Jandron said. “For any volunteer who rings a minimum of two hours, their name goes in the hat for gift certificate drawings.”

Volunteers will be drawn for a $500, a $250 and a $100 gift certificate to Jandrons Fine Jewelry. An entry will be added to the drawing for every two-hour shift an individual volunteers for.

“Try it for a couple of hours, make it a family affair, bring the kids with you and let the kids ring the bell too,” Jandron said. “We have a lot of moms and dads that bring their kids with them; just make it a two-hour family event thinking of somebody else that they can help. The satisfaction that you get out of that is tremendous. I see a lot of it down there and there’s such a need.”

Red Kettle money collected by the Salvation Army helps fund the organization’s year-round programs such as the lunch program, which feeds 50-80 people a day, he added.

Donation amounts range from a few pennies to having a $300 check deposited in a kettle just two days ago. No matter the amount, “every penny counts and it all does stay local,” Jandron said.

“The Salvation Army does so much for the community and it’s all of Marquette County. All the money stays here, none of it goes out at all. It’s all used for local programming in Marquette County,” he said. “There is a dire, dire need especially in the wintertime for funds and everything that we give out to people and to keep our food truck pantry full all year long instead of just during the canathon.”

Those interested in volunteering can call Jamie Ray at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center in Marquette at 906-226-2241 or visit registertoring.com online and enter your zip code.

Jandron also encouraged the community to keep an eye out for countertop kettles at businesses throughout the county.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.

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