By Rod Rowe
Hundreds of local volunteers help the Salvation Army in the annual “red kettle fund drive,” a major fund-raiser that helps the Army operate in this holiday season and throughout the year.
There are 24 “kettle days” that run from the Friday after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, explained Goshen’s Maj. Jason Pollom. This year’s fund-raising goal in Goshen is $30,000. That money will help pay for the “adopt a family” packages to 200 to 205 families. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Army had distributed food to more than 200 families. Toys were distributed to children Wednesday.
He said the collection hours at the eight kettles around Goshen was generally from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The campaign is set to run until 2 p.m. today.
Maj. Steve Woodare, at the Elkhart Salvation Army, said Tuesday his collections were running 20 to 30 percent behind the need, as the agency is helping more people than usual this season. He said collections were set to end in Elkhart at 3 p.m. today.
This week The News spoke with some of the volunteer bell-ringers in Goshen and Dunlap about why they were helping the Salvation Army. Their responses follow.
Rodd Lehman, Goshen — “Our Jefferson fire and EMS service worked Monday and Tuesday at Walmart. We are volunteers in the department and did this as a service to the community. This was our first time, but we will probably do it every year.”
Rebekah Bontrager, Goshen —“I helped my grandmother, Marlene Reynolds, who has rang bells several times. It was sure cold out.”
Jeff Finn, Elkhart — “I am doing it to give something to the community. It is my first time. I am here (at Hobby Lobby) about four nights a week. I do it to have something to do. I have been out of work since spring. I appreciate the fact that the Salvation Army helps people with basic needs.”
Norm Gersitz, Goshen — “We are giving back to the community. A lot of people are out of work. It was a busy night Monday with more shoppers here at Walmart than tonight. I think 50 to 70 percent of people put money in.”
Mick Luce, Goshen — “This is the first time Jefferson firefighters did this, but it won’t be our last. It is a great thing for anybody to do. We were out here last night, too. It is for people in need.”
Marty Lowe, Goshen — “There were 10 of us Jefferson firefighters here over the two days. Norm suggested it at a monthly meeting and we just planned to do it, went to Goshen and got on the schedule. We’ll probably do it again.”
