Salvation Army of Washtenaw County seeking volunteer bell ringers
The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County is looking for volunteer bell ringers to fill shifts at the nonprofit’s 49 Washtenaw County kettle locations through Dec. 24.
Volunteers are asked to donate a minimum of two hours of time toward the annual Red Kettle Campaign, but longer shifts are encouraged.
The Salvation Army needs bell ringers.
“Low volunteer turnout limits the support we’re able to provide,” Major John Williams said in a statement. “The more people who volunteer to ring bells, the more money we can dedicate to helping those in need.”
New this year, volunteers can visit www.registertoring.com/washtenaw
Funds raised during the annual Red Kettle Campaign are used to assist Washtenaw County families and individuals throughout the year with such services as a food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing, a family shelter, transitional housing and counseling for veterans, character building for youth, camp programs, emergency and disaster relief, utility assistance and eviction prevention.
Comments
sh1
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 10:31 p.m.
@Long Time: The story is about a lack of bell ringers this year. People are giving plausible explanations. @TooT: It was in Houston. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/3/810588/-Salvation-Army-Gets-Into-The-Holiday-Spirit
Lola
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 7:13 p.m.
Bravo Urban Sombrero. I find that quite often it is the most devout Christians who are the least Christ-like in their everyday lives. A person in need is a person in need. Bless the Salvation Army.
Urban Sombrero
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.
Wow, PR of AA and CONCERNED CITIZEN....you two sound so amazingly compassionate. It just brings tears to my eyes. What would Jesus do? hmmm.....I bet he wouldn't turn away needy people because they're aliens. Tis the season of giving, or something like that. Well, as long as you're American, that is.
CONCERNED CITIZEN
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
Thank you "PR for AA", you are completely right. When I give money to the Salvation Army, I want ALL of it to go to "citizens" with a need. We have far too many with terrible needs, right here in Washtenaw county. Once all of our citizens are doing well we can think about "illegals"...or not!
PR of AA
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.
I have no problem at all with only helping legal US residents, and to boycott a store because they have bell ringers outside their doors is non-sense. I don't see any reason that an illegal resident should be allowed to get help from the Salvation Army, they should seek help from their own country, where they came from...
rusty shackelford
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 1 p.m.
What percent of the haul do bell ringers get in commission?
breadman
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.
I did bell ringing a few years back when James Mueller had the program.. I will tell you something. James had the best poeple that did work under him. Very well put together program, the drivers drove by and checked up on the ringers at times the drivers would ring for you so you would not have to leave the kettle, when it got cold they drove around with hot water and made hot chocolate, coffee even someone wanted a mocha and you bet ya them made for us. As the Officers have changed from the years you will never get a Officer like those. Same with James as a kettle director.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.
True. I boycott stores that allow the bell-ringers. I don't think charity should be connected to the church, and I don't think beggars should ring bells in people's faces.
A2K
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
There are plenty of non-religious organizations to donate time/money to...religious folks do not "own the store" on charity, and I am far more comfortable donating to groups that do not (in any way) prosthelytize (i.e., general statements about the heinousness of gay marriage, abortion, how atheists are evil, you'll burn in Hades etc.)
Long Time Resident
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.
When I saw there were comments, I went "Uh, oh,...." and I was right. Only in Ann Arbor would the vast majority of comments rip the Salvation Army. Yes, they are a Christian organisation (Salvation, get it?), but that faith based orientation helps them have a much higher rate of success than most programs with helping the homeless, rehabbing addicts and helping troubled individuals find a purpose in life. Case in point-the Staples family Center on Carpenter Road. Built at a cost of less than 10% per bed than the County shelter Downtown, it has helped countless homeless families get back on their feet. When you see a Red Kettle, give.
genericreg
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 2:43 a.m.
please explain which guideline comment violate. same comment morningglory. Salvation Army intolerant. This affect want to volunteer.
pbehjatnia
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 12:05 a.m.
I was a bell ringer last year and the year before fore the SA. I did not complete the season last year. Donating my time to the SA was the worst possible experience I have ever had as a volunteer. The bell ringer admin, Debra Molitor, is simply a nightmare to deal with.
TooT
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 11:40 p.m.
"Last year the Salvation Army was in the news in one community for refusing to help people without proof of U.S. citizenship. What is their official policy on that?" What community? Where can I read about this?
morninglory
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 9:44 p.m.
Have they re-hired the non-Christian employees that they fired a few years ago? No? Well then, there are plenty of other charities that I can give my support to.
sh1
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 8:17 p.m.
Last year the Salvation Army was in the news in one community for refusing to help people without proof of U.S. citizenship. What is their official policy on that?