by Dennis Dalman
Despite an ongoing pandemic and its negative effects on so many families, this Christmas season has a good chance of being a bright and merry one for people thanks to the generosity and volunteer efforts of caring residents.
The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities are just two of the major regional organizations that will help bring holiday cheer. It’s important to remember that giving cannot be accomplished without receiving and therefore anybody should contribute money, toys or food if they can possibly afford to do so.
Salvation Army
There is a need for volunteer kettle bell ringers for Salvation Army efforts to raise funds for its community-connective services.
Currently there are bell ringers at 20 locations in the St. Cloud area, including St. Joseph, Sartell and Sauk Rapids. But due to a shortage of volunteers, the SA has been paying some ringers, thus cutting into donation funds. There are now about 15 paid bell ringers. The bell-ringing efforts raise an average of $190,000 per year, which is about a third of the SA’s annual income for programs, according to Laura Douvier, SA volunteer coordinator.
Those who would like to ring bells can do so only one time or as many times as they like. If interested or to learn more, call Laura at 320-257-7437. To become a bell ringer or to donate, go to registertoring.com.
Other holiday-related SA programs:
• The SA Toy Shop lets children and adults/guardians choose free toys at the SA building. There are also no-cost lunches and worship services.
• The SA Food Shelf is open the fourth Monday of every month from 4-6 p.m.; and from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
To learn more about the programs above and others, visit the SA website by googling St. Cloud Salvation or by calling SA at 320-252-4552.
Catholic Charities
Frozen meals will again be delivered in central Minnesota to people seniors 60 and older. There is no cost for the meals though donations are welcome. The frozen meals come in quantities of 10. They are pre-packaged in containers safe for use in ovens or microwaves.
Of the 25 pick-up locations, there is a St. Cloud one at the Catholic Charities building from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, located at 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud; and there is a Sartell pick-up site from 8-10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27 at Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N. For updated information, visit ccstcloud.org/events
To learn more about Catholic Charities, its food swhelf or other programs/services or to donate, call the organization at 320-650-1550.
The “Cowboy Santa Bell Ringer” delights shoppers in the St. Cloud area wherever he rings his Salvation Army kettle bell. His name is Bruce Hillier, and he volunteers 40 hours per week ringing the bell to help make people’s Christmas times merrier.
