Bell Ringers

Every year, I get that excited feeling in my stomach as I hear the first bells ringing outside my favorite store.  Yep, the red kettles and bell ringers are a sure sign the holiday season is upon us. 

As the Salvation Army's largest fundraiser of the year, the success of the red kettle program is crucial to sustain the Salvation Army's much needed programming and assistance to our neighbors in need.  And the success of the red kettle program is dependent upon the many folks giving of their time to ring those important bells.

So just who are those hearty souls who ring for hours at a time in all kinds of northland winter weather?
Many are volunteers; many are paid.
Many are adults; many are children (with an adult of course).
Some ring alone; some ring as a family; some ring with friends; some ring as colleagues or associates of an organization that believes in helping our community.
All are individuals that care about our community.

Every bell ringer I have come across is genuinely grateful... grateful for the coins or dollars dropped into their kettles, grateful for a smile and an acknowledgement of their service, grateful that through ringing a bell they know they are helping others in need.

To all of the wonderful Salvation Army bell ringers in Duluth and across the world, I would like to say Thank you...

Thank you for reminding us to give.  Thank you for investing your valuable time and enduring the cold, snow and wind in order to help your neighbors in need.  Thank you for smiling and demonstrating the holiday spirit.  Thank you for giving of yourselves to improve the HEALTH of the community.

Thank you for being truly inspirational!*

For more information about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Program in Duluth or to adopt a kettle and volunteer as a bell ringer, call Jill at 218-722-7934.

*Contributed by Mimi Stender, Director, Fit City Duluth