WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon
MANUEL GONZALES volunteers his time as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at the Conneaut Big Kmart.
Published November 28, 2009 01:08 am - Shoppers dashing to and from stores on Black Friday weren’t too busy to acknowledge people standing at the entrances, wearing smiles and red aprons and carrying bells.
Busy shoppers take time to help Salvation Army
By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
CONNEAUT — Shoppers dashing to and from stores on Black Friday weren’t too busy to acknowledge people standing at the entrances, wearing smiles and red aprons and carrying bells.
Friday marked the Christmas season debut of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign, an annual fund-raiser to help the area’s needy. The kettles and volunteer bell-ringers will be a common sight at selected locations across the county during the next few weeks.
In Conneaut, Sue Horvath and her daughter Analynn DiFilippo were greeting shoppers at the Big Kmart at the Gateway Shopping Center. Business was brisk in the store, and that translated into plenty of activity around their kettle, they said.
“People are putting in not just coins, but dollar bills,” said Analynn, a freshman at Conneaut High School.
Mom agreed, saying many shoppers were pausing to make donations.
“Very few people are passing us by,” Horvath said.
That hasn’t always been the case. The pair, who also staffed a kettle last year, said contributions could be few and far between in 2008.
“Sometimes we’d only get two people in an hour,” Analynn said.
The Conneaut campaign raises money to help people in that city, as well as folks in Monroe, Pierpont and Kingsville townships and North Kingsville, Kristina Lamont, coordinator, said in a statement. Money helps provide food vouchers and energy assistance for folks in need, she said.
Cash from the kettles is critical to the Salvation Army budget, Lamont said in the statement. Some two-thirds of the local branch’s $15,300 budget is earned from the few weekends kettles are in place, she said.
In related news, the Jefferson unit of the Salvation Army is looking for folks to ring bells at supermarkets in the village. The Jefferson unit assists people in Jefferson, Rock Creek and Dorset Township. For information or to register, contact Pat Cramer at Jefferson United Methodist Church (440-576-4561).
In 2008, the Salvation Army collected more than $130 million nationally with its Red Kettle campaign, according to the organization’s Web site. Horvath and her daughter were joined by 25,000 other volunteers across the country. The money helps the Salvation Army lend a financial hand to some 30 million people every year, according to the Web site.
ENGINEERING & PROCESS MANAGER Veitsch-Radex America Inc - An RHI Company, is a world leader in supplying products to the molten metals industry,...>MORE
STNAs (3) FT 3rd Shift 11pm-7am (2) FT 2nd Shift 3pm-11pm STNA Opening Every weekend 7am-11pm
THERMOFORMING DIVISION POSITIONS Myers Industries’ Lawn and Garden Group, (Dillen Products) has several opportunities in its Thermoforming operations in ...>MORE
Ashtabula Property Manager/Maintenance Experience in Plumbing, Electrical & Carpentry. Fax resume to 440-428-6186...>MORE
Restorative/Education Liason Nurse This applicant must be a registered RN in the state of Ohio with 2 years experience. Please fill out at applicatio...>MORE
Firefighter / Medic Saybrook Township Trustees are accepting applications for up to one full-time Firefighter/ Medic for their Township Fire...>MORE
State Tested Nursing Assistants Full time positions available, 2nd shift, excellent starting wage, great facility to work for. If inter...>MORE
Villa at the Lake A Drug Free Facility is seeking RCA’s Please apply within at 48 Parrish Rd Conneaut, OH...>MORE
Waitress PT Waitress, Exp. only. Apply in person. Lakeway Rest. Lake Ave....>MORE
WE HAVE JOBS!!!! Your job search begins and ENDS at Just In Time Staffing!
NORMANDY VILLAGE 55+ Manufactured Home Community 700 W. Main St. (Rt.20) Geneva, Ohio 44...>MORE
House for Sale Andover 3BR 2.5BA Ranch Andover w/ full bsmt. Big country kitchen with island, pantry, family room, L shaped living and dining r...>MORE
For Sale By Owner 64 West Jefferson Street Well-maintained Center Hall Colonial w/ Pool/Guest House, Heated pool, Gazebo & mo...>MORE
Mobile Homes for Sale Whispering Willow 2BR & 3BR homes for sale starting at $7,900. Financing avail. 440-466-6403...>MORE
MOBILE HOME FOR SALE CONNEAUT 2BR carport, large shed, dishwasher, appliances, AC, extras negotiable. $3500 obo. No land contracts. Conneaut 440...>MORE
Lot For Sale 20 acres near Jefferson approximately 6 mature acres of woods and over 7000 seedlings. Great home or cabin setting $39,0...>MORE