Red Kettle Campaign collects over $26,000
Hayden Mobley, left, and Jonathan Clark from Killbuck Savings Bank ring The Salvation Army red kettle bell during the holiday season. It is because of volunteers like this and donors who freely give what they can that The Salvation Army can turn the funds raised in Holmes County right back into a blessing to Holmes County families in need.
A little girl walked out of the Millersburg Walmart this Christmas season with her parents. While thoughts and dreams of what Christmas might bring may have been dancing in her head, she was drawn to a bell ringer standing at the exit of the store.
Her parents urged her to hurry along, once, twice, yet the girl stood mesmerized.
She quietly reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a dime, gingerly placing it in the red kettle.
As it clanked into the pot, Steph Ditmars, The Salvation Army of Holmes County director who happened to be ringing the bell at that time with her husband Mike, took a second to soak in the meaning of the moment before making sure they thanked the little girl.
“It was so touching. It really warmed my heart to see her give from her heart like that,” Ditmars said. “It’s also really neat to see parents purposefully take their children to the kettle and give them some change to put into the pot because they are showing their kids that helping others is a huge part of a community.”
That is what The Salvation Army Red Kettle program is all about, collecting one dime, quarter and dollar at a time so those struggling throughout the year to make ends meet and pay water or electric bills can stay warm and satisfied.
With collection pots at Walmart, German Village in Berlin and Rodhe’s in Millersburg, the Red Kettle Campaign collected more than $26,000 this Christmas season, a sum that will be redirected back into the community as the organization will help pay bills for those struggling to do so financially.
“This program is about helping people in need when they need it most,” Ditmars said. “Every dollar that people give to the Red Kettle Campaign goes right back into our community in Holmes County. We help people avoid having their utilities shut off and help in many other ways.”
Doug Mohr is in charge of encouraging and finding people to sign up to ring the bells at the various Holmes County locations.
For several years he has poured his heart into serving the community and The Salvation Army, an act that goes largely unnoticed by the community, but he wouldn’t have it any other way because he doesn’t do it for the accolades but for those in need.
The Salvation Army of Holmes County was started by Jo Ann Ramseyer, who passed away in 2021. Ditmars said Ramseyer, who served as the director for more than two decades, urged her to become a part of the organization, and while Ditmars admits she knew nothing about it then, she agreed to take on the role of director.
She hasn’t regretted it since, and she also has found joy in watching countless people volunteer to make the Red Kettle Campaign a reality.
She said thanking those who volunteer is a small token of appreciation, but their value to the organization is so great they could never thank the volunteers enough.
“We’re just so grateful to all of those who take the time to step out into the cold, rain and snow and ring the bell for such a worthwhile cause,” Ditmars said. “I feel so strongly about the purpose of The Salvation Army, and our volunteers do too. It is through their compassion and generosity that we have this opportunity.”
She also said they could never give enough thanks to those who stop and take the time to donate, whether it is one dime or $100.
She said those who give are the backbone of the campaign.
Additionally, Ditmars said the organization has nine volunteers who work behind the scenes, whether it is counting and caring for the money or receiving phone calls and signing up people in need of assistance.
“My volunteers are so committed and caring, and they enjoy what they do because they believe in what we’re doing,” Ditmars said. “The generosity of my volunteers, the people who ring bells and those who give is incredible.”
This year’s campaign in Holmes County went from the day after Thanksgiving to Dec. 23, and the bell ringers could be heard ringing at all three locations as they wished passersby a merry Christmas, whether they chose to give or not.
“One of the great things about the Red Kettle Campaign is that it doesn’t take much to help make a difference,” Ditmars said. “Whether it is placing a handful of change into the pot or taking a few hours out of the day to ring the bell, the purpose behind The Salvation Army is to give to others in need, and that is what the red kettle is all about.”
Anyone who would like to request financial aid may do so by calling The Salvation Army of Holmes County at 330-675-5151. The office is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Anyone seeking aid needs to bring a recent utility bill.
The Salvation Army does not work with cash, instead providing vouchers that can be presented to the organization, which will in turn submit a check to the utility company.
As Ramseyer always said during her tenure as director, giving always has a way of blessing those who give as well as those who receive.
If so, then many people have been blessed through this organization.