Bell-ringing campaign beats last year

Donations to the Salvation Army Bell Ringing campaign brought in more than a thousand dollars more than last year, according to the coordinator.

The Rev. Sam Williams of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, and Red Willow Area Ministerial Association coordinator for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing campaign, said this year's donations of $8,669.90 is an increase of $1,186.55 over 2004.

Williams said he was initially concerned, because the number of volunteer bell ringers was down. 

Preliminary indications are that the local increase is bucking the regional trend of decreased giving this year.

"The people of Southwest Nebraska, Northwest Kansas and Northeast Colorado are to be congratulated," he said.

The following churches, organizations and individuals provided volunteer bell ringers:  Sertoma Club, Good Sams Camping Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Southwest Nebraska Theater Group,  McCook Cordials, Red Willow Area Ministerial Association, St. Alban's Daughters of the King, Church of the Nazarene Youth Group, McCook Rotary Club,  Masonic Lodge, Community Hospital Auxiliary, McCook Harvest Church, Evangelical Free Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, McCook Christian Church, St. Alban's Youth Group, David Noe, Fred Boerger, Connie Padgett, Marilyn Cuellar, Katie West, Anna West, Avis Morell, Marge Malleck, Verna Barnett, Gina Hess and Colonel Milford Hickam, Salvation Army Field Representative.

In addition thanks also to Wal-Mart for the site for bell ringing and to First Central Bank for serving as the depository for the funds.