Effingham's fire and police departments ring bells for Salvation Army

Dec. 8—Following the Effingham Fire Department's victory last year, the department once again faced off with the Effingham Police Department Friday at the Walmart in Effingham for a friendly holiday competition that benefits residents in need every year.

The fundraiser has been dubbed "Guns and Hoses" and is part of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, which takes place during the holiday season.

Representatives from both departments rang bells in front of the entrances to the store for two hours Friday, taking donations from residents as they made their way past.

Donations received during the fundraiser allow the Salvation Army of Effingham County to continue providing several important services for county residents. The funds help residents pay their gas and electric bills, provide residents gas for their vehicles so they can drive to appointments, and supply food to those who need it the most.

Effingham Fire Department Lieutenant John Kronewitter and Effingham Firefighter Kenneth Hayes represented the department at Walmart Friday and said the Salvation Army of Effingham County assists first responders like themselves when fires and other disasters occur, bringing much needed supplies and even helping residents displaced by tragedies find a place to say.

They cited the anhydrous ammonia spill that occurred just outside of Teutopolis in September as an example of why the services the Salvation Army provides are so important.

"It's good for the community," Kronewitter said. "They help us on a lot of calls. On long duration calls, they come bring food and water."

They also said donations were coming in at a fairly consistent rate and said the number of residents who donated Friday was similar to that of previous years.

"They do a good job giving back to the community, and helping people out in the community whenever there's a fire or any kind of catastrophe," Hayes said. said.

At the other entrance to the store, Effingham Police Department Detective Justin Quandt rang a bell for donations for his third year, and he said the response of from the public, like previous years, has been great.

"It's a steady flow," Quandt said. "I'd say a majority of people tend to donate, and everything goes towards a great cause. It's pretty consistent year to year."

He also said that spending a couple hours in the cold is an incredibly small price to pay to be able to help the Salvation Army continue to provide its many services.

"It's nothing to help contribute to the people that are less fortunate that need the services of the Salvation Army," Quandt said.

One of the many residents who gave donations to the Salvation Army Friday, Christy Loy of Montrose, dropped her donation in the Effingham Fire Department's kettle, but she said that she has no preference in who wins the friendly competition and would just like to help the families and children that benefit from Salvation Army programs and services.

"I just donate to the Salvation Army because I help other people like kids that need Christmas or a family that needs something that they don't have," she said.

Roger Friese, chairman of the Salvation Army of Effingham County, stopped by Walmart to check on the bell ringers from both departments and said this year's fundraiser appeared to be going well.

According to Friese, the likelihood of people putting their money in kettles significantly increases when there is a bell ringer standing beside it, which is why the Salvation Army of Effingham County is always looking for more volunteers to act as bell ringers.

"Our job as a board is just trying to keep the bell ringing positions filled up," Friese said. "If you just have a bucket siting there, people walk by it and don't pay attention to it as much as if you had a ringer there. We still have a few spots open."

Despite the constant challenge of finding enough bell ringers for fundraisers, Frieze said Effingham County has managed to pretty consistently find the volunteers it needs.

"People have volunteered and stepped up," Friese said. "Effingham county is tremendous in volunteerism. They're gathering ringers left and right which is great."

The funds raised at the six different locations in the area Friday will account for the majority of funds the Salvation Army brings in this year, and Friese noted that 85% of the funds raised by the Salvation Army of Effingham County go toward covering the cost of services for county residents.

"The bell ringing is probably close to 70-75% of what we bring in for the year," Friese said. "That's why it's important to get the ringers out there so we can collect money to help people out."

Friese said the total amount of funds raised Friday as well as the winner of the competition between the fire and police department will be announced once all donations are counted.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army can contact Friese at 217-343-8215 or send an email to mid.se@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Those who would like to donate to the Salvation Army of Effingham County can do so by calling organization at 217-342-5434.

The Salvation Army of Effingham County's office is located at 1108 South Willow St. in Effingham.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.