In order to cut costs now and in the future, The Salvation Army needs to have an "army" of volunteer bell ringers. Major Gary Felton states, "The 5-year plan is to reduce our paid bell ringers by 20% each year. Last year, 1,000 hours of bell ringing was covered by volunteers, if we can increase it another 3,000 - we could eliminate the paid bell ringers and save thousands and thousands of dollars. I've been in appointments, namely Green Bay, where volunteers do all of the bell ringing, and we need the Quad Cities can do it."
Louie Alongi of KKJW Engineering Consultants has been coordinating his company's bell ringing activities for years had this to say, "I hope more business leaders will step up to the plate to volunteer and also make a donation on behalf of their employees. Each year, while we are bell ringing, community members will tell us that more businesses and their employees should participate with the Red Kettle efforts of The Salvation Army."
Churches, Service Clubs, Businesses, and other clubs are asked to Adopt a Kettle for a day. Please go to www.ringbells.org for easy sign-up. 82 cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army is used to sustain year-round programs that foster hope, and help change lives.
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