Wanted: Bell ringers
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | December 2, 2022 1:00 AM
COEUR d'ALENE — Roxy Kitchen has been a Red Kettle bell ringer for 14 years and was back at it for the noon to 2 p.m. shift Thursday at the Fred Meyer store.
She offered a smile and thank you to a man who dropped in a donation.
"I love to be doing this," she said. "It's great to be able to help the community."
The Salvation Army Kroc Center needs a few more people like her.
“We simply cannot meet the need throughout the year without more volunteers,” said Major Don Gilger, executive director for The Salvation Army Kroc Center.
Amy Voeller, director of development with the Salvation Army Kroc Center, said about 50-75 bell-ringer shifts are unfilled, with majority of those between Dec. 12-23.
"Those are when we are most in need," she said Thursday.
Voeller said it is unusual that this point in the season so many bell ringers are needed.
Volunteer bell ringers are described as "the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises the funds that sustain the help The Salvation Army provides all year long."
"We'd really love to fill those open spots," she said.
The goal, the same as last year, is to raise $245,000. So far, $78,978 has been donated. The drive goes until Dec. 24.
Last year, The Kroc Center helped more than 25,000 individuals with food, child care, emergency shelter and clothing, according to a press release.
Almost half of The Kroc Center’s budget for helping those in need is raised via the Red Kettle Campaign, which is why volunteer bell ringers are critical to its success.
Donations stay in North Idaho and go toward community outreach.
Groups, families and individuals can help by signing up to volunteer for a two-hour bell ringing shift, or by donating to the Red Kettles through Dec. 24. Donations stay in North Idaho and only fund community outreach.
Locations for bell ringers include Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway on Fourth Street, Super 1 stores, Walmart in Hayden and Cabela's.
Kitchen said people are generous.
"Very thankful," she said.
Thursday won't be her last shift. Kitchen will ring the bell "however many times they need me to."
"I'll be back out there again," she said.
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