Doing the most good

He encourages his friends to join the cause. He’s part of the Gold Country Street Rods. The club will be ringing bells in front of Sam’s Club on Saturday, Dec. 10.

“Every little bit helps,” he said. Dilling said the Red Kettle season is the single biggest fundraiser of the year, and all of the money collected stays in the community.

Carlos Souza, captain of the Yuba-Sutter Salvation Army, said the holiday season is the one time during the year they get national attention, and people expect them to be there.

“They are so used to seeing Salvation Army from being a kid,” Souza said, “they’re reminded Salvation Army is still present, still active, still doing the most good.”

According to the nonprofit’s website, the Red Kettle fundraiser came from an idea Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee had in San Francisco in 1891. He wanted to help feed the hungry and provide a free Christmas dinner. McFee recalled his sailor days in England when a large, iron kettle was set up at the landing where boats came in, and passers-by would drop in a coin or two to help the poor.

McFee placed a similar pot at the foot of Market Street and was able to raise money for the free holiday dinner. That idea spread all over the country. Today, the Salvation Army assists more than 4.5 million people during the holiday season.

Dilling said reactions from shop- pers and passers-by range in emotions, from heartfelt conversations and thank-yous, to smiles and nods, to being ignored. But Dilling doesn’t let that get him down.

“I love to see the smiles... I had one little boy wave to me all through the parking lot,” he said. “I give people a big smile, a nice greeting, maybe brighten someone’s day a little bit.”

He said he tries to engage the children who pass by and enjoys seeing parents teach them about giving back. He said even if people are unable to donate money, volunteering is just as important.

“Time is valuable, too,” Dilling said. “Find something to volunteer for. We have a lot of things that need to be done.”

For Dilling, hearing of the good the Salvation Army has done for the community and seeing success stories is what inspires him to keep volunteering all of these years.

“I like to know that there’s fewer folks that are hungry,” Dilling said. “That makes me ring a little harder.” Toll Free.................

Pat Dilling rings the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle fundraiser that supports various services in the community on Wednesday in front of Sam’s Club. Dilling has been volunteering for five years and is an “advocate” for the nonprofit.

Rachel Rosenbaum/ Appeal-Democrat Pat Dilling rings the bell for Salvation Army’s Red Kettle fundraiser that supports various services in the community on Wednesday in front of Sam’s Club. Dilling has been volunteering for five years and is an “advocate” for the nonprofit.