Red Kettle Tales

Ring those bells! by Jeanie Bryant

A very special thank you to The Salvation Army bell ringers this year.  (Eric Hedges, the Krause family, Dennis and Nancy Belcher, Susan Lissant, Karen Winn, the Rodemeyer family, Jordan Myers and Jessica Harvey, Bob Harker, and Barbara and Ted Koenig).  There were a few minor mishaps.  The red kettle arrived late at the Capital Mall, and it stayed late, well past the 7:00 p.m. ending time.  However, the new location provided a continuous array of giving customers.  On one occasion, I noticed four young men approaching the JC Penney entrance.  To my surprise, one of the guys led the ensemble right to the kettle and said, “Okay, everyone put something in the kettle.”  And they all did.  Some individuals said, “Thank you for volunteering.”  Others said, “I already gave,” and I thanked them.  It’s such a great experience. Thank you also to all the new volunteers who checked the “bell ringing box” on the time and talent survey.  Christmas 2012 will be here before you know it.