Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn is Chair of the Rice County Salvation Army Board.  He was joined this week on the KDHL AM Minnesota program by Faribault Volunteer Coordinator Mel Sanborn.

The two encouraged people to assist with the Red Kettle Bell Ringing Campaign this weekend through Christmas.  You can sign up at www.registertoring.com.

In an effort to make the campaign a success this year the number of days the kettle is out is less but they hope it always has some person there to accept the donations,

Dunn says they've realized over the years a unattended kettle gets virtually no donations compared to one that has a person with it.  That's why they are starting to ring this weekend.

The hope is to fill all the two hour shifts on Fridays and Saturdays this weekend through Christmas Eve when the last ringing takes place.

Sanborn emphasized the Friday and Saturday shifts are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Shifts will be added during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Some local organizations like the Rotary and Lions are taking days.  Some local churches have also signed up to provide volunteers for an entire day.

The kettles will be out in Northfield and Lonsdale also.  This weekend just Fareway Foods and Hy-Vee will have bell ringers.  Eventually Wal-Mart will be added.

Sanborn is the new Faribault Volunteer Coordinator taking over the duties Ed Little has had the past decade.  Dunn says Little decided it was time for a change.

Sanborn has been a passionate volunteer with the Salvation Army for a number of years because he sees how many people they are able to help.

Mel's contact number is 507-400-4520.

The Northfield Volunteer Coordinator is Jim Dale. To volunteer there or in Lonsdale please phone 715-733-0575.

"That help doesn't happen without a successful fundraiser."  Dunn stated on the program.

The last couple years they have not been able to reach their goal.  Two years ago they ran out of funds a couple months before their fiscal year ended.

The goal this year is $50,000.  Dunn says when you see the good the campaign does for people it warms the heart.  For example the Rice County Salvation Army supports the "Shop with a Cop" program.

Dunn has many great memories from shopping with kids over the years.

Below is audio of the November 3, 2020 AM Minnesota KDHL program.

 

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