Extra Help Needed...Let's Ring Those Bells!

Extra help is needed in our community this year.  The Red Kettles are behind and people are not filling in the spots to help ring the bells...which means, less money will be available to help those in our area this year.

How can you help?  Here are 2 ways:

1. Gather up those pennies.  Look through those couch cushions...and every time that you pass by a red kettle...put something inside.  Don't forget to say "thanks" to those ringing!
2. Help ring bells!

I checked out a few of the times that are available to ring and there are still even some spots with inside locations that need help!  Fareway...Hobby Lobby...Hy-Vee...you can be warm AND help The Salvation Army all at the same time by just ringing a bell.

For more info and links to the sign-up page through The Salvation Army...read the info below:

Our Red Kettle Campaign is behind! -
This year has been challenging but we are hoping for the best to keep The Salvation Army thriving and Doing The Most Good. We are almost $18,000 behind last year's generous pace and our need is only expanding in Rochester. Without fully-staffed kettles and thoughtful donors we face serious decisions regarding current programs and services. Do you know anyone else who can help, either with volunteer hours or a tax deductible gift?

- We have volunteer hours to fill -
The answer to our need? Your short time offered at an outdoor or indoor Salvation Army Red Kettle this next week! Each hour that a Red Kettle remains unattended means virtually no response or donations. Generous donations fund most of what The Salvation can do to support local programs and services. The math is simple: Fewer hours covered = less help available for those in need.

www.RochesterSA.org

 to Ring a bell between now and December 24th.

- Over 800 hours remain - 
Our schedule still has time open at busy sites all around Rochester. Sample the bargains at Kmart before or after your shift! Bring your grocery list to Cub Foods to shop before or after your shift (Bonus! Your ice cream won't melt in your trunk!) Meet generous people who visit Fleet Farm and literally stuff your kettle to capacity! Get caught up in the excitement at any Walmart or Sam's Club door! Find those few precious indoor times on December 23rd and 24th atHy-Vee or Fareway Foods when you don't have school or work!www.RochesterSA.org

 or call 507-288-3663 to Ring a bell!

Sing Christmas carols, play an instrument, parade around in your worst holiday sweater! Bring up to four other family members, friends or coworkers to make the time fly! Dress up in a big cardboard box covered in Christmas wrap and put a big bow on your head to remind passers-by that you are a gift to The Salvation Army with your donated time! Your creativity can do wonders for The Salvation Army!

Our clients thank you for your past support and charitable heart. We know you won’t leave them out in the cold this year.Thank you and Merry Christmas!

www.RochesterSA.org

 or call507-288-3663 to Ring a bell!
---------------
Dave Ferber-Director of Community Engagement
The Salvation Army "Doing The Most Good"
IT'S RED KETTLE TIME! Ring bells at www.RochesterSA.org

 

Operation Christmas Child Update & Video

Thanks for helping with Operation Christmas Child!  

This link was shared from an AHG family...and we wanted to pass it along so you could all enjoy it and learn a little bit more about Operation Christmas Child.

From the AHG family..."I just wanted to forward this video to you about the regional packing event for OCC in Bloomington yesterday.  I saw the video on Kare 11 TV and it was so touching to hear of one man's experience in receiving his first shoebox.  Brings the whole OCC full-circle."

Hundreds gather to support Operation Christmas Child

Video:
Several hundred people skipped the holiday shopping rush this weekend to pack up shoe boxes filled with gifts for 750,000 children across the world.
http://www.kare11.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2880956805001

A Few FAQ...service night time, bell ringing on Dec. 7th and how to fill out the service logs

We've had a few questions about the number of minutes that the groups had for service during our service night and if bell ringing on December 7th counts for service.  We are putting the answers together for all of you...along with a reminder of how to fill out those service logs.

Service Time on Service Night:
Our goal for our service night wasn't about time...but more about helping the girls figure out what the real purpose of service is.  I have heard A LOT from many of you, ideas from the girls in our AHG troop...and they are getting it.  What is even better...families are working together on projects, the girls are being creative and raising money for all sorts of different groups and they WANT to help.  They have found the spark that is inside and they are making changes happen in this community and in places around the world.

You can read a recap of what we did during our service night at our latest post here...and below is a rundown as well of what we did on Service Night and the amount of service hours that they earned that evening..

Tenderhearts = 20 minutes in the room working on the blankets.  10 minutes in the big room working on thank you notes.  Total of 30 minutes.

Explorers = 10 minutes in the big room working on thank you notes.  Total of 10 minutes.

Pi/Pa = 10 minutes in the big room working on thank you notes.  Total of 10 minutes.


Bell Ringing on December 7th Count as Service Time for Log Being Turned in December 2nd?
The answer is no.  All service hours must happen prior to the service log being turned in.  You can put the service of bell ringing on the next service log though!

How can you fit in another 30 minutes?  We have a few ideas listed for Tenderhearts and Explorers at the links below.  Pi/Pa's...your list is coming soon but you can do many of the items listed on these pages as well.

Tenderheart Ideas for Service
Explorer Ideas for Service


Need Help Filling Out Those Service Logs?  
We have a page just for this...helpful hints and the process for how to fill out the service log.
Here is the link:  Service Log Page

Any other questions, feel free to send Jessica an e-mail at mominmn@gmail.com