By Greg Jordan
For The Register-Herald
BECKLEY — Bells will be ringing today as volunteers stand next to red Salvation Army kettles, greeting shoppers, reminding them of the less fortunate, and encouraging donations to ensure a Merry Christmas and a happier New Year.
Today is Christmas Eve and the final day of the Salvation Army’s annual red kettle drive. Bell ringers will be outside stores across southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia, giving last-minute shoppers the chance to contribute and help people in need this holiday season.
Capt. Liz Blusiewicz of the Salvation Army Beckley Corps was preparing Tuesday morning for the day’s kettle volunteers. She said the public’s response has been strong this season.
“Yes, so we’re very thankful for the community. Right now we’re right around $115,000 we’ve raised so far, and we’re trying to push these last two days,” Blusiewicz said. “We’re trying to get around $150,000 to make our goal for this entire program year.”
Recent snowstorms and arctic temperatures have kept shoppers away, reducing donations to the red kettles. Salvation Army corps have been working Tuesday and Christmas Eve to make up the shortfall.
“So we’re actually behind where we were last year at this time,” Blusiewicz said about Tuesday’s campaign total. “We’re behind around $1,500, and so we think a big part of that is where we had all that snow. And people were not out shopping, and that really hurt us—the weather.”
In the Beckley and Raleigh County area, the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign continues until around 6 p.m. today. So far, people have shown the same level of generosity as last Christmas season, and volunteers have stepped forward to help.
“It’s right on par. Again, I think the weather’s been against us a little bit, so we’re trying to overcome, and I’d like to just shout out to the community and the volunteers that have been involved from Rotary Club, Lions Club, ARH Hospital,” Blusiewicz said. “We’ve got some city council out today. They’ll be out ringing the bell for us, and I think that just shows that our fundraising effort is for the community, by the community; so we’re just very thankful for all the folks that have given of themselves to make it happen this Christmas.”
Outside the Walmart on Eisenhower Drive, volunteers—including business owner Steve Kelly and Natalie Coots, a member of Beckley City Council—rang the Salvation Army bells and thanked shoppers, many of whom were friends, as change and dollar bills went into the kettle.
Kelly smiled. “She grabbed me and told me I was doing this today,” she said.
Coots and Kelly began their shift at 9:30 a.m., as more shoppers started arriving.
“It’s picked up quite a bit here,” Coots said. “The first 15 minutes were pretty slow, but it looks better, and other members will be out today as well. You know, our new Salvation Army really gives back—things for kids, things for families, all kinds of activities. It’s just become an important part of the city, and I just think it’s our due diligence to help. Any organization that helps the city, and especially our kids, that’s where we begin.”
Blusiewicz said 10 to 15 bell ringers, most volunteers, have been outside local stores every day.
“All around the county, basically any Walmart, Food Lion, the mall—that’s our main spots where we ring,” she said. “We also have some paid ringers because it’s so hard for us to cover a 10-hour shift every day. It’s a long shift every day; only they work four days a week. We have some volunteers who will take a full shift, and they will volunteer 10 hours.”
Further south, at the Salvation Army’s Mercer County Corps in Princeton, Sgt. Melissa White and other corps members were preparing Tuesday morning for the red kettle campaign’s last two days.
“This year’s goal is very aggressive: $100,000,” she said.
“Well, we are short of our goal, but we are ahead of last year’s totals,” White said. “Right now we have $81,000. The goal last year, I think, was $80,000, and we did make that. And while we are falling short of our goal, we have saved $20,000 in bell ringer salaries due to the partnership we have with Recovery Point.”
Recovery Point of Bluefield helps individuals recover from substance abuse. Its members have been working this Christmas season to give back to the community, White said.
Between 12 and 14 volunteers have been outside stores in Mercer County and Tazewell County, Va., ringing the red kettle bell. Arctic cold has affected collections in those areas as well.
“We lost four ringing days,” White said. “I wasn’t about to ask anybody out at that time.”
All of the efforts during the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign will continue to make a difference even after Christmas.
“This money will help keep people fed, clothed, and housed throughout the regular seasons as well as assist with our Christmas efforts this time of year,” White said.
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