What’s Up? with Merlene

The Salvation Army is recruiting bell ringers for the coming holiday season to volunteer in its annual Red Kettle Campaign. Yes, they know it’s only September.
“We could use thousands of volunteers,” said Maj. Debra Ashcraft, co-coordinator of the Salvation Army’s Central Kentucky service area.
The campaigns runs 41 days this year, with kettles stationed in 31 locations. Hundreds of volunteers will be needed to meet the need.
Although there is an orientation session scheduled for 1 p.m., Nov. 3, it’s unlikely everyone will be able to make it, Ashcraft said. So, when groups gather at their posts, after signing up with the Salvation Army, an official will explain the ins and outs of bell ringing.
“It’s not rocket science,” Ashcraft said. “You smile, ring the bell, and say ‘thank you.’”
The hope is to get church groups, clubs, businesses, families or individuals to stand by the kettles, ringing the bells and helping to raise enough money to fund the many programs the Salvation Army has implemented.
The kettle campaign — established in San Francisco in 1891 and scheduled from Nov. 6 to Dec. 24 in Lexington — is the oldest and largest fund-raiser for the Army each year. Last year, Ashcraft said, more than $355,000 was raised. It was a record. This year, she said, the goal is $400,000.
“We live in a very generous community,” she said. “But because of the economy, more people are coming to use the services. The kettle money closes the gap.”
Services sponsored by the Salvation Army include emergency shelter, disaster relief, a food pantry, an early learning center, Boys and Girls Clubs as well as other programs available throughout the year.
Standing and ringing a bell seems like a small contribution to such worthy programs.
If a group decides to take this on as its project for the holidays, the Salvation Army recommends sequential shifts of no less than half a day. The Army will provide a sign recognizing your group if you wish.
Each group can have volunteers sign up for time slots of an hour or more at a time, or two people can share the duties. At no time should the kettle be left unattended, however.
If standing outside isn’t appealing or doable, there are two other ways to participate in the kettle campaign.
Folks can build their own home page at www.onlineredkettle.org and have friends and family donate there. Last year, she said, nearly $7,750 was raised locally by 10 people that way.
Or, said Rayann White, development director, a business can place a kettle in a prominent place where donations can be collected. That campaign, called Counter Top Kettles, is in its fifth year, raising more than $4,000 last year, down from the year before.
This year’s Red Kettle Campaign kicks off at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Nov. 3 with the Christmas Breakfast Roast, featuring Mira Ball, head of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and tickets are $50. For more information call White at (859) 252-7706, ext. 117.
But if you want to be a bell ringer, sign up at www.salvationarmylex.org, or call Tiffany Priest at (859)252-7706, ext. 125.
It might be wise to register early and sign up for the warmer days. Otherwise, Ashcraft recommends wearing a hat and gloves. I think thermal underwear would be a good bet, as well. If you are still chilled, just think of the warmth you’ll generate by helping your neighbors.