$10,000 Goal Announced for Salvation Army Kettle Drive, Volunteers Needed

The staff of Mia's Shear Perfection working together to cover bell ringing shifts at the Salvation Army Kettle located in-town Damariscotta during a past Kettle Drive. Their work was part of an effort to honor the memory of Bill Earle, an avid bell ringer and a community activist who was always generous with his time and attention to those in need. Bell ringers are presently being sought for the 2013 Salvation Army Kettle Drive. From left to right are Sarah Mathieson, Paige Tims, Holly Harlow, Karen Prock, and Mia Feltis and Mia's puppy Stella.

Bells will be ringing again this holiday season as the well-known red kettles of the Salvation Army appear at local businesses beginning Fri., Nov. 29. This year organizers have set a goal of $10,000 for the fundraising drive, according to Larry Townley of the Damariscotta/Newcastle Rotary Club, the Scheduling Coordinator for the Kettle Drive.

“Meeting our goal to support the Salvation Army is more important this year than ever before,” Townley said. “If we exceed that goal, then so much the better.”

Volunteers are needed to ring the bell as a key part of the local Kettle Drive. “These are the folks who bring our kettles to the public, and who give people the opportunity to make their contributions to the kettle,” Townley said.

As in past years, the Damariscotta/Newcastle Rotary Club and the Damariscotta Lions Club will provide many of the volunteers who ring the bell during the local Kettle Drive. But many other volunteers have helped make a difference in the past, and this year they will be even more important, according to Townley.

Some of the volunteers sign up as part of a group, and some of these groups are already bolstering the bell ringing efforts. Groups from Spectrum Generations, Bath Savings, The First, Central Lincoln YMCA and Girl Scout Troup 1936 have already signed up to help meet the $10,000 goal.

“Enthusiasm generated by these groups is contagious,” Townley said. “So, of course we encourage folks to enlist their employer or organization to take one hour shifts for part of a day or all day.”

Townley will be working with Natalie House of the Damariscotta Lions Club, who is the volunteer Treasurer for the Kettle Drive.

Both Townley and House have donated many hours of their time over a period of years to make the Kettle Drive a success.

“This is a great way for people to benefit their community, and taking the time to ring the bell is also a heartwarming experience for the volunteers,” Townley said. “Greeting your friends and neighbors at the kettle, and meeting other people who share the holiday spirit through their donations, is truly a reminder of what the season is all about,” Townley said.

The bell ringing experience can be especially fun when shared with a friend, relative, or favorite dog, according to Townley. “This can be a great way for a parent or grandparent to introduce a child to the true meaning of the holidays,” Townley said. “And, if you have a friendly dog, they seem to have as much fun as their human companions when ringing the bell.”

This year the Salvation Army Damariscotta Region Human Services Unit will have one kettle located at the Damariscotta Post Office and another kettle at the Yellowfront store in Damariscotta. Many one-hour volunteer shifts are available, and may be scheduled at the volunteer’s convenience. Businesses are also invited to schedule blocks of time when their employees may volunteer to ring the bell.

To inquire about or sign up for a shift of bell ringing that will benefit your neighbors in need, please contact Larry Townley at 563-5535.