Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
It might seem early to be thinking about the Christmas season, but time flies when you’ve got a major charitable operation to put together in less than three months.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign for Shawano County begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through Dec. 24.
Currently, however, that campaign has no coordinator.
Former coordinator Mike Clark resigned because he moved out of the community, according to Stacey Cicero, Salvation Army board chair.
The board is looking for someone willing to organize volunteers, set up kettle locations, and work with school groups and civic organizations to enlist volunteers.
There is a small stipend paid for the coordinator’s work, Cicero said.
Over 100 people typically volunteer each year as bell ringers, drawn from dozens of community groups and classrooms.
The ringers are a vital presence at kettle locations, Cicero said.
“People tend to walk past an unmanned kettle,” she said.
Last year, the Red Kettle Campaign had locations at Charlie’s County Market, Qualheim’s True Value, Walmart and Pick ‘N Save.
With the closing of Pick ‘N Save, the board is also seeking another location.
Ringing takes place on Friday and Saturday during the season, with shifts scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., in two-hour increments.
All donations made in Shawano County stay in the community to help families in need with financial assistance such as rent, utility bills, transportation needs, medical bills and other needs.
In addition to bell ringers, the Salvation Army board, which meets quarterly, is also seeking new members.
The Salvation Army of Shawano County can be reached at 715-526-5105.