Bellringer helps families with emotional support, basics of life
Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series on the 43rd annual Julius Gius Bellringer Campaign.
Families struggling to make ends meet in western Ventura County are helped by the Salvation Army's Bellringer campaign.
These families receive assistance such as food, diapers and many times an ear to hear their stories and a shoulder to cry on.
The effort started with Rafael Robles, pastor and founder of CityKidz, an organization that helps youth. Robles along with several others saw many of their neighbors in need.
Robles got in touch with Capt. Juan Torres, corps officer of the Salvation Army's unit in Ventura, to see if they could join forces to help. For the past six months, this collaboration has provided basic food pantry staples such as rice, beans, bread and on occasion eggs and milk to as many as 50 families.
Neighbors arrive at the Salvation Army, bag the food and deliver it to the residents of Ramona Street in west Ventura. The Salvation Army also offers the residents other resources such as rental and utility assistance as well as free eye exams and glasses.
List of new donors
Sam and Barbara Marsh, $200
Margaret S. Cauvet, $100, in loving memory of my husband Brad Cauvet
Johanna L. McKeown, $400, in memory of Carl and Kelly
Barbara Cogert, $100, in loving memory of Russell Prouse, a kind and gentle man
Allen and Lynn Merriam, $100
Geraldine M. Mayes, $500, in memory of my husband David Mayes and dad to Tom, Dong and Scott. Grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to 12.
William and Loretta Burton, $100, in memory of our daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Stephen Rigberd. With sadness and love.
Robert A. Johnson, $100: in loving memory of Judy Johnson 1940-2013. She gave all she could.
Thomas and Karyne Roweton, $25
Sharon A. Ellis, $100, in loving memory of my husband Jack L. Ellis
Anne V. Russell Hurd, $50, in memory of our wonderful parents, Bob and Jan Russell, miss them so, especially at Christmas.
Allen G. Collister, $50 in loving memory of Lois and Georgia.
Angela White, $100.
Johnnie Van Manen, $100 in memory of son Jeff
Anne T. Losito, $200, in memory of my husband Douglas Losito and my sons Douglas Losito Jr. and Richard Thomas Smith II. May you have a Merry Christmas in heaven.
Online:
Edith Pham, $104
Maria Moreno, $30
Linda Greene, $100
Elizabeth Ammons, $104 in memory of David and Robert Ammons
To donate online, visit https://give-sc.salvationarmy.org/campaign/the-salvation-army-or-julius-gius-bellringer-by-ventura-county-star/c429370 or mail donations to Bellringer Campaign, 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.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Bellringer assists struggling families
