Bellringer campaign kicks off with heartfelt donations
Editor's note: This is the second in a series on causes funded through the Julius Gius Bellringer Campaign, which is now underway. Each year readers of The Star donate funds to the campaign to help their neighbors benefit from The Salvation Army's programs.
Walmart employee Gail Cullins watches every year as The Salvation Army sets up a Christmas tree for the Angel Giving Tree program and the iconic Red Kettle at the retailer's Ventura store.
For six weeks, customers take tags with children's names and purchase gifts or deposit cash donations into the kettle. Cullins always looks forward to this tradition.
“I enjoy seeing the generosity of our customers giving to those in need," she said of the program sponsored by The Salvation Army's Ventura Corps.
For some time, Cullins has also been a caregiver who picks up food from The Salvation Army food pantry on Wednesdays and Fridays for her clients. She has seen firsthand how the donations that go into the Red Kettle help people.
“Food is so expensive," she said. "My clients would not be able to get this amount of food on their fixed incomes if not for The Salvation Army food pantry.”
Cullins has gotten to know the staff and officers so well that she is now a volunteer at the Ventura Corps. “I want to get involved in giving to my community," she said. "What better place than The Salvation Army to do that.”
To donate online, visit https://tinyurl.com/5h8r99e2 or send donations to The Salvation Army Ventura, 650 S. Petit Ave., Ventura, CA 93004. Please include whether your donation is in honor or memory of someone. You may also donate anonymously.
Donors
Allen F. Merriam, $100
Judith A. Beay, $50, In loving memory of John Roelse and Paul Roelse—Judith, Matt Roth, Sarah McLaughlin
An anonymous donor, $500
Allen G. Collister, $100, Remembering Lois and Georgia, from Al
Charles E. Elliott, $100, This is in memory of John F. Kennedy on the 60th anniversary of his death on Nov. 22, 1963; in gratitude for an inspiring leader who promoted world peace. May his ideals for a better America live forever.
Anonymous donor, $5
Elizabeth Ammons $261.27, In loving memory of David and Robert Ammons. You both are missed. From Victoria and Elizabeth Ammons.
Anonymous donation, $150
John and Karin Grennan, $100, In fond memory of our journalist friends John Cressy, Jim McLain, Mark Pickering, Chuck Thomas, John Weigle and John Willson
Joe Wigert, $100
Anonymous, $26.25
Anonymous, $104.08, Flo, so sweet, just like the fabulous desserts you made! We won’t forget you.
Anonymous, $52.50
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Bellringer campaign starts with heartfelt donations
