Salvation Army to hold Battle of the Bells
In an effort to cut costs and increase community involvement, the Salvation Army is launching a Battle of the Bells competition.
Between Nov. 2 and Dec. 24, teams composed of community members and local businesses and organizations will compete to raise the highest total donations while ringing the bell at Salvation Army red kettle locations throughout the Washington area.
Participants can choose the day and location of their competition. Teams are encouraged to collect donations on more than one day.
The top three teams will be acknowledged in Observer-Reporter, on the Salvation Army’s Facebook page and at the charity’s annual dinner in April.
Lt. Esther Wilson, core commanding officer for the Washington Corps, said teams are encouraged to have fun, wear attention-grabbing clothing and dance or sing Christmas music where stores allow. Participants are discouraged from wearing Santa costumes because another charity wears them while soliciting donations.
Wilson said teams can be large, but just two bell ringers are allowed at a site at a time.
Team members must be on- site from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent.
Collections occur Monday through Saturday. Salvation Army employees will be responsible for dropping off and picking up the kettle before and after shifts.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Wilson said. “It helps us with heating assistance and providing food. The more community members volunteer, the less amount of people I have to hire. So I’m looking to eliminate overhead.”
For more information or to sign up, call Felica Stanko, kettle coordinator, at 724-225-5740 extension 113.