Bells will be ringing

Hark, hear the bells. Sweet silver bells of the Christmas season.

Wal-Mart shoppers were greeted with the familiar sight and sound of ringing bells Monday as Seymour city employees helped kick off the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle fundraiser.

“It’s the least we can do to help others,” said Jason Reister, superintendent of Seymour’s wastewater treatment plant. Ringing alongside Reister was plant employee Mason Boicourt.

City workers took one-hour shifts outside the store’s main entrances, ringing bells to help raise money for the organization, which provides financial assistance to people during times of crisis and those down on their luck.

Nearly everyone who passed by stopped to give what they could.

“We do it every year,” Debbie Blocker of Vallonia said of donating money to the campaign. Her granddaughter, June Blocker, 3, was excited about dropping money into the kettle.

“It’s a hometown thing,” Debbie added.

“Every little bit helps,” Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Vance said. “It’s a way to spread good cheer and that’s what the holidays are all about.”

He also said it gives him a chance to meet more of the people the city serves. This is the second year Seymour has held a Government Day and encouraged officials and employees to get involved with the drive.

All money raised locally from the Red Kettle campaign stays local, Human Services Director Missy Woods said. Since there is no Salvation Army office in Jackson County, Human Services distributes the money through its various assistance programs.

“Most recently we have assisted with Thanksgiving baskets for those families who are unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal this year,” Woods said.

In the summer, the agency uses some of the funds to buy fans for at-risk residents, including the elderly and young children.

Other programs include helping people get their high school diplomas, purchasing steel-toed work boots for factory workers, medical and dental assistance, as well as utility and rent assistance.

Last year’s campaign raised more than $31,000 to help people in Jackson County.

“I think that says so much about our community and how much people care and are willing to give to others,” Woods added. “We should all feel extremely proud to live here.”

Mayor Craig Luedeman along with Clerk-treasurer Fred Lewis took the first bell ringing shift Monday to get things started.

“So many people are helped by the Salvation Army,” Luedeman said. “It doesn’t take much to give one hour of our day to help out.”

Linda Lawyer, past director of Human Services, said Seymour is the only community she is aware of where local government gets involved by ringing the bells.

Don Zetty of Medora said he was happy to donate to the cause.

“It’s the only thing I give to, because from my life experiences I know they use the money for what they say they are going to use it for.”

Besides donations, Woods said she is still looking for volunteers to ring the bells.

“We had a wonderful response and people were eager to help,” she said. “I actually had people asking me if they could volunteer, but we still need a few more people to fill up some shifts.”

The campaign will run through Dec. 24. To volunteer, contact Woods at 522-9611.