Salvation Army campaign sets mark for giving in Holmes County

Salvation Army campaign sets mark for giving in Holmes County
Dave Mast

The Salvation Army of Holmes County recently completed its best fundraising year ever, ringing in more than $32,000 during the holiday season. The organization continues to support area families, thanks to volunteers like Carole Norman, left, Director Steph Ditmars and volunteer Kate Findley.

                        

The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in Holmes County is alive and well, and this Christmas season proved that giving to others is right in the wheelhouse of the people of Holmes County.

Not even four fewer days of ringing the red kettle bells this year due to Thanksgiving Day coming so late in November could deter the kindness and generosity of donors around the area, paving the way to a record-setting season of giving of more than $32,100.

“We’ve never seen more giving than we had this year, and we are so grateful to this community for having so much compassion for others,” said Doug Mohr, Salvation Army of Holmes County director of volunteer bell ringers. “The important thing is that everyone knows how much we truly appreciate both their giving to the Red Kettle Campaign and volunteering to ring during the season.”

The three collection sites included Rodhe’s Marketplace and Walmart in Millersburg and German Village in Berlin.

Mohr said the slate of volunteer bell ringers nearly filled every slot this year from the day after Thanksgiving to just prior to Christmas, and both he and Salvation Army of Holmes County Director Steph Ditmars said this undertaking would not be possible without the selfless acts from the bell ringers.

“Their effort definitely helps push this far beyond what it would if they weren’t there and we just had red kettles out at each place,” Ditmars said. “People are more apt to give if someone is there ringing.”

Mohr said they get a major effort from both area high school FFA groups, where teens provide many hours of service over the collection month. In addition, there are many businesses that donate time from their staff to ring bells, and their smiling faces and warm greetings help inspire people to give, whether it is a few coins, a couple of dollars or checks.

The stories of moments of mission at each SA site are heartwarming.

Ditmars shared a story of a young girl who was with her family coming out of Walmart, who paused as they were passing by her ringing the bell. The girl rooted around in her pocket as her parents quietly asked her to come with them, but she was determined. She finally pulled out a solitary dime, placed it in the kettle and went on her way.

“It brought a tear to my eye,” Ditmars said.

Every cent given during the drive goes right back into families in Holmes County, and while it may not have been much, it was as much about the idea of her giving what she had for someone else that made the moment so special.

“You’d be surprised at many of the people who give because they just want to help others any way they can,” Ditmars said.

“It’s often the people that have the least who give the most,” Mohr said.

There are stories of $100 bills, and Mohr said on Christmas Eve he went to Walmart to collect the funds and inside was a check for $2,000.

“People are pretty amazing,” he said.

While the bells may no longer be ringing and the red kettles have been put back into storage for the year, the giving doesn’t have to stop.

Ditmars said people can still give by sending in checks throughout the year, which she said is important because the needs don’t stop simply because the bells aren’t ringing.

“As blessed as we are in Holmes County, there are still many families in need,” Ditmars said.

Ditmars said anyone who sends in a check during the year should make sure they write it out to Salvation Army of Holmes County, that way it is certain the funds will remain here in the county to reach local people.

“Everything given here during the campaign stays right here in Holmes County,” Ditmars said.

Those seeking financial aid from Salvation Army of Holmes County can stop by the office during hours and fill out a basic information sheet to qualify for funds. Ditmars said the main purpose of SA is to help people with utility bills.

She said they don’t help pay rent, but she said by receiving money for utilities, the money a family would spend there can be put toward rent or food. She said they also have helped with prescriptions in the past, and there is a limit for each family per year.

“We understand that it can be humbling to come in and ask for help, but that’s why we are here and that’s why people in this community are so generous in sharing,” Ditmars said. “It’s all confidential, and people fall into hard times sometimes.”

The Salvation Army of Holmes County office is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. The address is 163 S. Clay St. in Millersburg, where volunteers will gladly help people walk through the process.

Anyone who would like to request financial aid may do so by calling Salvation Army of Holmes County at 330-675-5151.


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