To help: Salvation Army bell ringers out in force

Bell ringers will be standing outside retailers from now until Christmas Eve to encourage shoppers to drop coins and bills into the Salvation Army's red kettles to help the needy.

[Diann Bishop]

This is all very nice and good but the SA does not help with rent and as far as utilities you have to have money up front before they will help..well if one has a termination notice it stands to reason if they are asking for your help with it they do not have any money to pay it or hey would not be there asking for your help. The SA has changed so much in the past few years actually when the ones in charge now the new Major and wife took over. If one askd for help because of a loss of income how in the owrld do you expect them to any money up front...gee if they had he money they would no be asking for yoru help. An I really thing they need to screen people better....why is it I see people there every month who by the way has money to play bingo every night of the week but they have no food and can not pay there bills. And by the way what do you do with all the new toys from the Marines for Christmas?? You make people sign up for that angel tree program and the kids that do not get picked get used toys..so what do yo do with all those donated Toys for Tots toys the Marines freely give to you for the children who have nothing?? Yes I am bitter when it comes to the SA and sorry I will donate my money to somewhere will it will actually be used for someone in need of rent or utility help.

[sammit]

I think the SA does a wonderful job helping people. I realize the money problems, budgets that are stretched to capacity and more people wanting services. BUT, bell ringers before Thanksgiving? By the time the Christmas season is here, you are sick of the bell ringing.

This past Saturday I saw a man put a $5 in the kettle. The bell ringer never said thank you. I know he saw the man. That is RUDE.

If that was I standing there and the ringer just blew me off, I'd want my money back.

[David]

Sammit is so right. Bell ringers just past Halloween? How about moving them up to Labor Day?

The one I encountered so far was so unlike the one Sammit mentioned; this one was pleasant and greeted people even if no donation was made.

Remember NO DEDUCTION allowed to those who itemize their deductions on Federal taxes without a receipt.