Bell ringers needed

    Last year, dozens of people stepped up to ring the bell and Phillips County raised $2,300 during the Salvation Army red kettle campaign. It was the first time the county participated, and the money raised stayed local to help meet emergency needs.
    After last year’s success, the campaign is returning to Phillips County once again, and this year the local Salvation Army service extension unit has set a simple goal: to do as well as last year. To do even better would be a much-appreciated bonus, though.
    Each town’s Country Christmas festivities will mark the start of the red kettle campaign in Haxtun and Holyoke. In Haxtun, volunteers will be stationed in shifts 5-8 p.m. outside the CHS Grainland C-Store for their Tuesday, Nov. 27, Country Christmas. The following weekend, Dec. 1-2, will wrap up Haxtun’s volunteer bell ringing, but a counter kettle will be set up inside the C-Store through Dec. 23 so donations can continue to be made.
    In Holyoke, volunteers will be stationed outside the Peerless Theatre from 3:30-7:30 p.m. for the Monday, Dec. 3, Country Christmas event. Every day after that, through Dec. 23, there are volunteer bell-ringing shifts outside Holyoke Marketplace.
    Those interested in signing up to ring the bell can see the entire schedule at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044ea8a628a1fb6-2018. On weekdays, 1-hour shifts are available from 4-7 p.m. On Saturdays, 2-hour shifts last from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays have just one 2-hour shift from 1-3 p.m.
    Two volunteers are needed for each shift, and at least one must be 18 years or older. Last year, many couples, families and parent-child duos signed up to ring the bell. Friends, church groups, book clubs or coworkers could also have a good time volunteering and making a difference.
    For the bell to be rung every day for three weeks straight in Holyoke, over 100 slots will need to be filled on the volunteer sign-up sheet. The campaign’s success depends on communitywide involvement.
    On the bell-ringing side, it’s really as simple as it sounds: sign up, show up, ring the bell and watch as people put donations into the kettle. On the donor side, it’s equally simple: on the way into Holyoke Marketplace or past a kettle elsewhere, just put a donation in the slot — any amount will help.
    For more information about Salvation Army or the red kettle campaign in Haxtun and Holyoke, call 970-854-2280 or email ann.mcconnell@state.co.us, tiffany.watson@state.co.us, edna.marquez@state.co.us or lori.lundgren@state.co.us.