Letter to the Editor

"Ring the bell" Salvation Army thanks volunteers and businesses

Monday, February 17, 2014

To the Editor,

On behalf of the Poplar Bluff Salvation Army Service Unit, I would like to thank all those individuals who volunteered to 'ring the bells' this past Christmas season. We had over 600 bell ringers. My heartfelt thanks go out to each one of these very special people. A kettle standing silently gathers only pocket change but adding a smiling face and the sound of a ringing bell increases our donations significantly. Thank you for serving your community.

Thank you to Walmart, JCPenney and Kmart for allowing us to set up kettles on their doorstep and to the 33 businesses and organizations that adopted a day to allow their employees/members to ring the bells. We would not be able to get enough volunteers without these businesses and organizations.

Last, I want to thank all the individuals who dropped their coins and dollars into the kettles. It is because of your very generous donations that we are able to provide shoes at the Back to School Fair, assist homeless veterans in securing housing, assist with utility and miscellaneous bills for individuals we serve in Butler County.

Eighty-five percent of the money collected is kept in Butler County and given to those in need.

Thank you for being a generous community.

Melanie Hamann

Chairperson of Poplar Bluff Service Unit