By Alan Sorensen
What takes just two hours and provides a year of satisfaction?
Being a Salvation Army kettle bell ringer in Havre during the Christmas season.
Lt. Will Ware of The Salvation Army in Havre said he has plenty of slots open to volunteers throughout the weeks leading up to Christmas.
"I have 11 available sites for Saturdays," Ware said. "And, really, Saturdays are the days I'm trying to fill, but I'll accept volunteers any day of the week."
Havre area service clubs that have already come forward to give their time are Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary, Ware said. He's also received an offer of help from a student group from Havre High School.
Volunteers definitely help to brighten everyone's Christmas by freeing up The Salvation Army's money for food, toys, clothing and household gifts for the needy.
"For what places we don't have volunteers, we are forced to hire bell ringers," Ware said.
Ware had hoped to contact each of Havre's service clubs personally before the holidays to ask for their help. But being new to town, "trying to get our feet wet," and time constraints made that impossible, he said.
"If there are any out there, we'd be more than happy to have them," he said.
The kettles will be strategically located at four sites around town from now until Christmas: Kmart, post office, Gary and Leo's IGA, and Albertson's. They will be up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday each week.
He said the ideal schedule for a day is to have four two-person teams work two hours each to fill up the eight hours so no one feels too put out.
"If there are any groups or individuals who would like to help us make this holiday a success, give us a call or stop by," Ware said.
To volunteer, call Ware at 265-6411 or stop by The Salvation Army Office at 605 Second St.
