GOWANDA - The Gowanda Service Unit is presently seeking volunteer bell ringers for the Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Drive, which began Wednesday at the Gowanda Shop and Save Store. Bell ringers will also be present Friday and Saturday this week, which regular collection days starting next week.
"Store owner Jim Fort again is allowing volunteer bell ringers to be inside the store and for this we are exceedingly grateful to the Fort family as many of the volunteers are elderly and could not stand outside during the cold weather," Gina Paul, new chairperson for the 2012 drive, said in announcing the need for volunteers to man the kettle.
In deference to the ears and mental well-being of store employees, the bells will be tiny and rung sporadically.
Regular collection days will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Two- hour shifts have been scheduled as follows: 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additional shift and days can be added if enough people volunteers. To volunteer, call Paul at 532-0935 or Joan Byrne, 532-2507. Several unmanned kettles will also be placed in various local stores.
To all who have generously donated in past drives, a reminder: all money donated in the kettles will be used for those in need living in the local service area of the village of Gowanda and the towns of Collins, Perrysburg and Persia.
Also, anyone receiving a mail request for holiday donations from Syracuse Salvation Army Headquarters can deposit checks in the local kettle and it will ensure that the money is used in the local area. Money deposited in kettles other than in the Gowanda area will be used for the area in which they are located.
"We are getting a late start in requesting help so it is very important that bell ringers sign up soon in order to have a successful drive again this year," Paul stressed.
