Susan McDaniel Havre Daily News smcdaniel@havredailynews.com
The Salvation Army has an urgent need for volunteer bell ringers. If they have to hire people to do the bell ringer tasks, then all the money that they pay out will be lost to use for community services. Any kettle donations collected stay on a local level for use in helping local people in need, except for a 10 percent tithe paid to Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in Seattle. The Seattle office supervises the local office because there are not Corps officers located in Havre. Groups from the Lions Club, Kiwanis and the Methodist Church have signed up for one day each. One gentleman has committed to working three days a week for the duration of the kettle drive. But other than these few groups, plus some individual people who have volunteered to work a few hours apiece, the Salvation Army is lacking in help. Their one consistent volunteer bell-ringer Bonnie Bennett has been a volunteer for 26 years in a row. “We really appreciate her willingness to continue helping us,” said Trina Crawford, of the Salvation Army Social Services office. Kettles will be located at Gary & Leo’s IGA, Kmart and Holiday Village Mall. There are many days and hours that need coverage at both IGA and Kmart. The money collected is to be used in Salvation Army Social Services for the full year. “It is very vital to our existence,” said Crawford. In addition to providing emergency services, the office serves as a referral source for the food bank, but can only provide that service Twice a year. Spiritual needs, such as prayer requests or visits from a pastor, are now being served through the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association. John Chapman, pastor at First Baptist Church, monitors the requests that come into the Social Services office and distributes them among the other Association members. Because the old kettle stands and signs were getting so tattered, Crawford has ordered two new sets that are larger and brighter than the old. The kettle drive is scheduled to run this year from Nov. 24 through Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p. m. Then on the two weeks prior to Christmas, from Nov. 11- 23, they will be out from noon until 8 p.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer for bell-ringing duties is asked to call the Salvation Army Social Services office at 265-6411.
