A heart of service in the Salina community

Bill Naeker, 74, has been ringing bells with the Salvation Army of Salina for 21 years. This year, he'll once again share his cheerful smile at Dillons on Cloud Street, doing his part to help people in need.

The U.S. Army veteran said he is eager to begin ringing this year and serving the community he has lived in since 1992.

“Serving in the (Salvation) Army gives me a sense of accomplishment, a sense of knowing I’m serving the Lord, my fellow man and doing the most good we can,” Naeker said. “We’re there to help people, plain and simple.”

Collecting donations for local need

Beginning Nov. 11, Salvation Army volunteers will be stationed at storefronts throughout the Salina community ringing bells for donations alongside their well-known red kettles. The organization asks for people to give only what they can or are felt led to.

Their goal isn’t to pressure people into donating, Naeker said, but to encourage others to freely give what they can to help those in the Salina community. That’s something Naeker said he has always been proud of – that 100% of the donations stay local to help local people.

This year, the charity group has increased its fundraising goal by 25%. Luke Hursh, who heads the bell ringing operation, said the larger goal reflects a greater local need this year.

“Were having to raise our kettles to account for the number of people we will be seeing this year,” Hursh said.

Hursh said $95,000 is this year’s benchmark, after last year’s collection of about $67,000. He also mentioned that the kettles account for 25% of the group’s total budget. If the full $95,000 is not met, they will be working on other ways to make up that difference.

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People will hear the chimes of Salvation Army bells around at least eight locations, but up to 10 locations depending on how many volunteer bell ringers register this year.

There will be two at Walmart – one at the north door and one at the south door – one at Sam’s Club, one at all three Dillons locations, one at Hobby Lobby and one at Atwoods.

Ways to get involved

Hursh has been with the Salvation Army since July 2021. One thing he said persists is the need for volunteers. And bell ringing is just one of many ways people can get involved and help serve their community this holiday season, Hursh said.

The Salvation Army is always looking for people to help with a variety of outreach and services they provide – from helping in emergency disasters like house fires, to taking food donations for the food pantry, setting up this year’s toy shop and a variety of programs helping people with rent and job finding.

The group also serves a Thanksgiving Day meal each year and looks for volunteers to help serve the meal.

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People interested in bell ringing can register for a time and place through the Salvation Army website at registertoring.org. There are two-hour time slots from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at all their locations in Salina.

While they would prefer to get all sites covered by volunteers, Hursh said he knows that isn’t likely. So, the Salvation Army is also hiring for bell ringers. They will be taking applications for those positions until Nov. 13.

“Volunteering is the best way you can give. It doesn’t cost anything other than a couple hours of your time,” Hursh said.

In the past, people have made competitions out of bell ringing. Companies, organizations and families who want to give back have had people stationed at different locations and see who can bring in the most donations.

People who may not have internet access can call 785-823-2251 to get signed up for bell ringing or to serve in another capacity if they wish.

Also beginning Nov. 9, from 2-9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, the IHOP on South 9th Street is allowing guests to ask for a portion of their bill to go toward the Salvation Army kettles. The company will dontate 20% of its proceeds to the Salvation Army.

“I cannot downplay other charities, but people know when the Salvation Army gets money, they put it to work,” Naeker said.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina's Salvation Army serves the community rings bells for funds