Bells to ring a Salvation Army tune

By Correne Martin

Bells will be ringing a Salvation Army tune, beginning Nov. 25 and ending Dec. 24—Black Friday through Christmas Eve—from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. In Prairie du Chien, volunteers will ring bells by red kettles at Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly and Wal-Mart, while Prairie du Chien police officers and city employees will ring at Cabela’s.

Volunteers are needed to fill two-hour shifts throughout the organization’s Red Kettle Campaign season.

“We really like it when kids ring. They get out there and sing and dance. We typically see community organizations, church groups, anyone who needs volunteer hours, small school groups and youth groups. But it’s open to anyone who really wants to do it,” declared Jen Kapinus, Crawford County Salvation Army coordinator. “We have people who just show up because they love to do it. A new trend we’re seeing is people who receive Christmas assistance from us are ringing, which is great, because it shows me they’re trying to give back.”

To find a time slot that works for you, call Jen at 326-8321 or email her at pdcumc@gmail.com.

More than $19,000 was raised during the same time period in 2015. That money, which has grown steadily for the last five years, has helped 160 people thus far in 2016, with needs such as emergency lodging, rent/mortgages, utilities, medical equipment, prescriptions, glasses, shoes, clothing, diapers, groceries, hot meals, flood relief, plumbing repairs, door and window replacements, etc. In some cases, homeless families that found housing, but needed appliances, were assisted in purchasing them.

“We have a much higher rate of homeless families in this community, whether it’s short-term or long-term. We work with the police department on trying to be as cautious as possible on who we serve,” Kapinus pointed out. “I also communicate with Crawford County Human Services and Catholic Charities to keep a master list of people we’ve helped so no one is taking advantage of the system.”

Also, in 2016, the year started off with the Bartels tragedy in Wauzeka, and Kapinus was the first person who showed up the day after the fire to provide clothing, toiletries and other immediate needs.

“Right away, donations started coming in and they came in by the truckload. We received donations, sorted them and put them in storage. The Salvation Army was really assisted in those efforts by the Methodist churches in Prairie du Chien and Wauzeka,” she added.

From those experiences, Kapinus decided to become certified in disaster assistance. Now, she can volunteer at a Salvation Army shelter set up due to any natural disaster, terrorist attack, mass shooting, etc. She’s proud to offer that additional service.

For more than 11 years, Kapinus has felt sincere gratification in seeing the program thrive. The neat aspect of the Salvation Army, she said, is that all the money donated through the Red Kettle Campaign stays in the local communities, where it’s used to help homeless residents and transients as well as people who have sudden, unexpected needs.

“It’s important people know that they money stays here in this county,” she stated. “Compared to other counties in the area, we do very well, which I find interesting, because we are one of the poorest counties in the state.”

Without the presence of people in front of the stores ringing bells by red kettles, the Salvation Army wouldn’t be as successful as it has been locally. However, donors interested in simply mailing a check may do so at: Salvation Army, 625 S. Dousman St., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821.

Since funds raised have grown in recent years, Kapinus hopes that, if last year’s amount is exceeded, some money can be allocated to K-9 efforts in the county.

‘Tis the season that is always better to give than receive. “It makes you feel good,” she said, “and it’s such a good lesson to teach others.”

For more information and updates on the organization, find the Salvation Army of Crawford County WI on Facebook, or contact Jen at the number or email above.