Keeping Salvation Army bells ringing

Carol Hardesty and her husband, Ken, at the Salvation Army kettle. Pilot file photo

The bell ringing volunteers will be greeting people at the doors to Fred Meyer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24.

The only advice Frisch has for prospective volunteers is, “Dress warmly and bring your Christmas spirit.”

The idea spread and in 1897 a nationwide effort was able to fund 150,000 Christmas dinners for those in need.

Donations to the Brookings pots will be used to help the needy with transportation and temporary shelter, contributions to the food bank, and to send local children to summer camp.

Frisch is confident that volunteers will come forward and donations will be generous. “Our community is always very generous,” Frisch said.

Brookings resident Mike Crow, who has served as a bell ringer many times, said, “It’s a very rewarding experience, and you meet a lot of nice people. Some people just quickly drop the money in and rush on, but some stop and talk about being bell ringers in Chicago 10 years ago.”

He added, “It makes you feel good to think you may have helped someone in need.”

Crow said he remembers one Christmas Eve shortly before he was to go off duty, when a huge semi parked beside him. The driver left the engine running, jumped out of the truck and dropped a $50 bill into the pot, jumped back into his truck and drove away.

With the hope to make the bell-ringing season even more special, Frisch is also asking for volunteer musicians, willing to provide musical entertainment during some of the bell-ringing hours.

Prospective bell ringers, soloists and musical groups are encouraged to contact Frisch at 541-469-3118, ext. 2202, for additional information or to volunteer for ringing bells or for providing additional Christmas spirit with music and song.