Silhouette

Issue date: 12/5/02 Section: Front Page

Now is the time Salvation Army seeks the help of volunteers to raise money by ringing in the Christmas season from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 22-Dec. 24, at several locations throughout Garden City.

Volunteers ring bells at kettle locations, four of which are equipped with heated booths, to collect donations from community members for the Salvation Army. Booths are set up at the east and west Dillon Stores, Target, Sears and JC Penney, with two booths at the Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Without volunteers, the Salvation Army is forced to hire employees, which is taken out of the bell-ringing proceeds, Salvation Army Capt., Harold Frost, said.

"My wife, myself, the staff that we have on hand right now, and just people we can grab from any direction to help ring, help do it because the more people we have to hire to [bell ring], the less money we have to spend on [other] programs," Frost said.

Proceeds from the bell ringing go to Christmas programs, such as buying gifts for needy children, as well as other programs throughout the year.

"The first priority is to make sure that all kids at Christmas receive a Christmas gift," Frost said. "Of course we do our Angel Tree program and those types of things. But whatever child does not get picked off the angel tree, our staff and volunteers go out and buy them a gift with the money we raised. And then after Christmas is over, the funds are put in a reserve account and we pull off of the funds for the local programs we do."

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