VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Troy Salvation Army in need of Red Kettle bell ringer volunteers

TROY, N.Y. >> The Salvation Army of Troy is looking for volunteer ringers for its annual Red Kettle campaign. The fundraiser campaign, which kicked off Thanksgiving Day, is vital to the success of the organization and its yearlong programs which help benefit the community.

“We have a goal of $85,000 dollars and if we don’t get volunteers we’re not going to make our goal,” Salvation Army Envoy Vangerl Pegues said of the funds needed to help its services thrive. “This year would make us really have to consider what services we would have to cut, which I don’t ever want to do,” Pegues added.

Bell ringers are needed any time from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and are especially needed after work hours from 6- 9. Pegues noted that people can call and volunteer and they’ll let them ring the bell. Families are also encouraged to make it a team effort by volunteering for two to four-hour shifts.

“It makes a big difference when people in the community are ringing the bells versus paid kettle workers because once they see people in the community doing it, they’re more apt to give and plus they know the people in the community,” Pegues said of the importance of local volunteers making a connection and spreading outreach efforts.

“Our kettle effort funds our program year-round,

that’s our biggest fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Troy. What we make from the kettle’s allow us to do the food pantry, soup kitchen and all the programs for our kids,” Pegues noted of how the fundraiser goes a long way toward helping its efforts throughout the community.

According to the Salvation Army, even one hour of bell ringing can yield enough donations to feed 13 people.

“I really want to make our budget because we’re doing good in terms of serving the people for the food pantry and the soup kitchen, it’s really booming and doing good and I want to do more, but we just need to have a successful kettle drive,” Pegues added of how the Salvation Army would like to do more to help people

If you’d like to support the Salvation Army and ring the Red Kettle you can contact them at Vangerl. Pegues@USE. SalvationArmy.Org or by visiting the Troy Salvation Army.

RECORD FILE PHOTO Catherine Murray of Blanchard Industrial Supplies donates to the Red Kettle campaign in Troy as her husband, Larry Murray, rings the bell during a kickoff event last month.

RECORD FILE PHOTO Troy Salvation Army envoy James Pegues speaks during the kickoff of the 2018Red Kettle Campaign.

RECORD FILE PHOTO Troy Salvation Army envoys Vangerl and James Pegues stand together during the kick off of the Red Kettle campaign.

RECORD FILE PHOTO Margaret Crawford of Wynantskill is one of the many Salvation Army volunteers that worked as a bell ringer in 2017.