The Salvation Army needs bell ringers

“I just started and got a good response from past ringers to ring again this year,” said kettle ride coordinator Eric Haugland. “The Park Rapids Fire Department, banks, real estate agents, church groups, lake associations, Itascatur, the North Country Trail Association and families have already signed up. But we still have slots open every day. We especially need ringtones on Thanksgiving weekend when many people are traveling out of town. This is the most difficult to complete, with December 17th and 18th because it is the week before Christmas.

Ringtones can register for an hour or two and a half hours. Some ringtones are outside, while in other places the ringtones are inside the store.

Musicians who wish to provide entertainment at the donation site are also welcome.

“We’ve had the high school choir in the past, and a guy who played guitar and sang Christmas carols in the past too,” he said.

Funds raised through Red Kettle Drive are used in the county for crisis situations in urgent need of shelter, utilities, food, clothing and transportation.

People in need in the county are referred to the Salvation Army by social workers.

“Maybe it’s someone whose house has burned down, or has low income and has car trouble and can’t get to work,” he said. “The Salvation Army can help with car repairs, vouchers for gas, things like that.”

Haugland said that last year, due to COVID-19, there weren’t as many civic organizations participating in the red kettle campaign, so the Salvation Army relied more on them. families and friends.

“With the help of the community, we raised $ 24,177, a 38% increase from the 2019 fundraising of $ 17,673,” he said. “Park Rapids is known to be a big supporter of the Salvation Army’s statewide kettle campaign. “

The Hubbard County Kettle Collection will begin on November 26, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until December 18.

Participating companies include Coborn’s Grocery, Cwikla Ace Hardware, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, L&M Supply, Walmart Supercenter and Walgreens Pharmacy.

Checks made out to the Hubbard County Salvation Army can be sent to Citizens National Bank, PO Box 231, Park Rapids, MN 56470.

If you’re interested in volunteering, call Haugland at 218-252-7151 (cell) or 218-732-3910 (home), or email [email protected].