Hear Those Bells!
Salvation Army “Red Kettle” Campaign Progress
Lee Isensee, Barnes County Salvation Army Chairman, wants all of the Salvation Army team members to know where they’re at halfway through the Red Kettle Campaign.
The team, he makes clear, is much more than just a few people: “We feel like all those who ring the bell, all those who put money in the kettle, are part of our team,” he says. “It’s not just our small group. It’s the whole city and county that makes this possible.”
The Barnes County Salvation Army thanks everyone who has signed up for bell ringing and all of those who have been so generous, putting money in the kettles. Now, halfway through the campaign (as of Dec. 11), the organization has collected $27,093, 45% of its $60,000 goal.
“After the first week, we were down $11,188 from last year,” Isensee says. That stemmed from the campaign’s later start this year (a week later than last year) and the loss of a Saturday because of a storm.
Valley City Public
Schools stepped in to help support the campaign, holding their 4th annual “Red Kettle” Challenge. The challenge is a friendly competition between classes who volunteer to ring the bells for the Barnes County Salvation Army.
Whoever collects the most money in their kettles during their bell ringing is dubbed the “winner.”
VCPS’ challenge encourages students, staff and community members to show their support for the Barnes County Salvation Army and all that the organization does for Barnes County.
Superintendent Josh Johnson announced that the winner this year is the Junior High, raising $887.87 while students were standing next to the kettles.
The VCPS students and staff, after two days of bell ringing at Leevers North and South, collected a total of $2,523.02.
“We’re picking some of that up because of everyone’s generosity,” Isensee says. “We feel comfortable that we’ll be able to make our goal because of the generous hearts of all those in Barnes County. We’re really blessed.”
The community’s need has started off greater this year than it has other years at this time, as well. Since the first of October, the Barnes County Salvation Army has helped 136 people and spent $12,399, helping people with things like meals, lodging, healthcare, clothing, rent, utilities, transportation and more.
To be a volunteer bell ringerb at one of the three Valley City locations (Leevers North and South, and PetroServe USA), call Tim Kadrmas at 4901044 or Don Fiebiger at 840-3641.