Volunteers sought to ring bells

Salvation Army’s bell-ringer campaign begins the day before Thanksgiving and will run until Christmas Eve.
Salvation Army office manager Diane Caputo is in charge of the effort this year, and says she needs all the help she can get.
Volunteers are needed to man the red kettles outside local businesses. People are needed to fill quite a few slots; the kettles will be at various sites Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., except on Thanksgiving Day, throughout the campaign. Caputo said volunteers aren’t expected to work full days or commit to multiple days.
“If you can spare half a day, a couple of hours here and there, whatever, we need you,” Caputo said.
To sign up, or to find out more, call Caputo at 482-1075. She works 20 hours a week, so if she isn’t there, leave a message and she’ll call back as soon as possible.
In these tough economic times, the Salvation Army is setting its 2009 goal at the same amount raised last year, $16,000.
All money collected in the bell-ringer campaign goes directly to assist people in the area.
Caputo’s salary and other expenses are paid through the organization’s general fund.  Jackson County donates space in the old jail for her office.
“Every penny that goes into the kettle goes to help people in this county pay their electric bills or for medicine and medical supplies,” Caputo said. “It doesn’t filter through headquarters to be split up with others. If you give, you can be certain that it’s staying here.”