Salvation Army Announces Annual Kettle Campaign

Posted on Author Mitch Columbe

The Salvation Army will be ringing the bell at Sanders Grocery again this year, every day until Christmas Eve.

The Salvation Army has been sponsoring the annual kettle drive at Sanders Grocery on Plymouth Road in Winamac for several years. Eighty-two percent of the donations stay in Pulaski County, impacting the lives of neighbors by helping them in their time of need. These dollars provide social services assistance, homeless shelters, anti-human trafficking, and more.

This year red “counter kettles” will be identified and placed in several Winamac retail stores. For those wishing to donate with their credit card or phone, they can scan or tap the “QR” code on the sign above the kettle.

They have sponsored an online site to volunteer to ring. It’s here and it includes pertinent information needed to sign up. For your convenience, one hour increments are available every day until Christmas Eve. Multiple time spots are available, depending upon your schedule. Individuals, service club members, school clubs or organizations, banks, retail store employees are all welcome to participate.

For more information contact Fred Zahrt at fredz@whsi.tv.

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed in Starke County

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

It’s nearly that time of year again, when Salvation Army bell ringers pop up all across the country, collecting funds to assist local families in need. Salvation Army Bell Ringer coordinator Joe Lopez said they’re currently looking for volunteers to pitch in at the Starke County locations.

Unlike many places where Bell Ringers have to stay outside, Starke County volunteers have the chance to do their work inside. Continue reading →

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed!

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Salvation Army Bell Ringers are still needed in Starke County! Starke County Bell Ringer coordinator Joe Lopez stressed the fact that funds collected at the local collection centers remain in the area.

Lopez explained, “The money does not go out of the county, all the money collected is spent here in Starke County and it helps a lot of people that need help during the holiday so we really appreciate any help we can get.”

The two Starke County Bell Ringer locations are Bailey’s Discount Center in North Judson and Five Star in Knox. Lopez mentioned that there is a special perk to working these spots.

“I know that a lot of people watch the Salvation Army Bell Ringers out in the cold,” he said, “we’re fortunate to have Bailey’s indoors and Five Star also indoors so you’re not standing out in the weather freezing.” Continue reading →

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

 

The Salvation Army needs bell ringers to help collect funds to help neighbors in need.

Salvation Army Major Gerald Smelser said volunteers are on site for about two hours at a time, but can donate more time based on personal preference. Kettles are stationed Walmart and Kroger in Plymouth, Five Star in Knox, Bailey’s Discount Center in Knox, and additional sites in Bremen and Culver.

Members from church organizations, residents, business organizations, or school groups are welcome to participate. Bell ringers can volunteer from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 24 in two hour shifts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a certain location. Hours during the weekend usually need filled, but if there are more volunteers, time slots may open during the week.

Continue reading →

Mobile Health Units to Provide Information & Screenings in September

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Wellness Outreach Professionals with the Mobile Health Unit of the La Porte Hospital will be making stops around the community during national prostate cancer awareness month. La Porte County and Starke County will have Mobile Health Units set up in various places throughout the month of September in order to provide men’s health education and promote the importance of colorectal cancer screenings. Continue reading →

Winamac Community High School Students Raise Money for Charity

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 

Students from several organizations at Winamac Community High School took time to volunteer for the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Principal Rick DeFries says they raised a significant amount of money for the organization during their annual bell ringing campaign. Of the $5,600 raised, the students brought in $2,500. DeFries told the Eastern Pulaski School Board an estimated 10 groups raised that amount of money in 20 hours.

Money Remains Best Way to Assist Disaster Victims

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 

As the death toll continues to climb in the wake of yesterday’s horrific Oklahoma tornado, many people are asking what they can do to help. The American Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations are already on the ground providing food and supplies to first responders and setting up shelters for displaced residents. Giving money to organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other reputable nonprofit organizations is the fastest, most effective way to help victims of this and other disasters. While donations of food, clothing and household items are well intentioned, they need to be stored, sorted and given out to people who may be living in shelters or staying with friends or family members. Additionally, trying to warehouse and distribute items taxes local volunteer resources. Continue reading →

Salvation Army Challenges Community For 60 Hours of Bell Ringing

Posted on Author WKVI

With just two weekends remaining before the holiday, the Salvation Army is gearing up to raise close to $12,000 before Christmas.

Jim Irwin with the Salvation Army said he’s looking for volunteers in the county willing to do at least a two-hour shift of bell ringing, after he was inspired by a pastor who rang a Salvation Army bell in front of a store for 60 hours straight. He said he doesn’t want to have a volunteer ring the bell for 60 hours straight, but it would be great to have volunteers team up in shifts to ring for a total of 60 hours.

Continue reading →

Volunteers Needed to Coordinate Salvation Army Holiday Donation Effort in Starke County

Posted on Author WKVI

The Salvation Army is looking for someone to help coordinate the Christmas donation effort in Starke County. Salvation Army Major, Gerald Smelser, encourages anyone who can, to volunteer:

“We need to get someone to coordinate and call the different groups and organizations and set that up for the bell ringing time and hopefully we can find someone who would be interested in helping us,” said Major Smelser. “It’s basically about six weeks. A couple of weeks will be needed to line it up and then having the bell ringing. Volunteers only ring here on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Continue reading →

Starke County Volunteers Keep the Bell Ringing for Salvation Army

Posted on Author WKVI

Elaine Silvius

Have you noticed the Salvation Bell ringers at Five Star and at Bailey’s Discount on the weekends? Elaine Silvius, Service Representative for the Starke County Salvation Army Chapter, says the campaign seems to be going very well this season. Elaine said Starke County donates well to the bell ringers.

“The people of Starke County are real givers when it comes to the buckets,” said Elaine Silvius. “They always put something in.”

Continue reading →