Each year, the Salvation Army in Mitchell
sets a fundraising goal for the red kettle
campaign, but this year its been tough.
{49:31} " The kettles are way down below what
we expect, and so we are in really dire need
for volunteers at the kettles.
We have many empty locations that are open,"
Major Vickie Cole said.
Major Vickie Cole is hoping to have 35-thousand
dollars from the kettles by the end of the
campaign, but ringers only raised about 9-thousand
with two weeks left.
She's hoping more people like Corrine Granger
come and volunteer.
She's been helping the Salvation Army since
1952.
{1:00:03} " Oh, there's a very much need for
that.
I also cook for the Salvation Army.
I come and ring bells after I get through
cooking," Corrine Granger said.
It was a bell ringer, just like Granger, who
found an unusual donation at Cabella's last
Friday.
Wrapped in a 10-dollar bill was a diamond
engagement ring with a note saying that the
ring represented both the happiest and saddest
moment of the donor's life.
It's a donation that Major Cole accepts with
a heavy heart.
{52:52} " My heart goes out to that man who
gave it.
His heart was broken and a time that could've
been a very joyful time, but then he gave
from his heart and said this could help children,"
Major Cole said.
The ring is valued around 12-hundred dollars.
The Salvation Army is currently accepting
bids for the ring.
Right now, the highest bid is 750 dollars.
Major Cole believes this could be the donation
that gets the campaign back on track and welcomes
in volunteers with as big of a heart as Granger.
{1:01:42} " I always tell them Merry Christmas,
Happy New Year and thank you very much, because
even if you give a quarter, every little bit
helps," Granger said.
{57:01} " Young people, students, families
that want to get together and share with their
children what this money will help and it's
their way of showing how one hour or two hours
will bring a change in someones life," Major
Cole said.
