For as long as any of the local Kiwanis members have been a part of the club, they’ve helped coordinate the annual bell ringers for the Salvation Army.
It’s been a successful venture, too, with the ringers and their iconic red kettles set up in front of Walmart to receive monetary donations of any size to benefit local charities.
“That’s something we need to stress, that money stays in Allen County,” noted Barb Leavitt, a volunteer with Iola’s Wesley United Methodist Church. “The donations people give us stay right here.”
For the first time this year, Wesley is working with Kiwanis to help oversee the Salvation Army collections. The church will help distribute funds through the year to folks in need.
“And we’re seeing a lot of people who need help,” Leavitt said. “Utilities are high. Groceries are high.”
Proceeds can be used for a number of means, including food purchases and assistance with rent or utility bills.
Up until this year, Iolan Janet Wilson helped coordinate how those donations were spent, noted the Rev. Jocelyn Tupper.
“Janet was always great to work with,” Tupper said, “but handling all of that can be a lot for a single person. That may have been why she suggested we take it over this year.”
The Kiwanis club schedules the bell ringers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday during the Christmas shopping season.
When not ringing the bells themselves, the Kiwanians get assistance from several local groups, especially high-schoolers, 4-H members and other organizations, noted Kiwanis member Lonnie Larson.
“A lot of the same ones participate pretty regularly,” he said.
THE SALVATION Army has earned a soft spot in the heart of the Leavitt household.
“I remember the flood of 2007, the Salvation Army was the first group to help. That so impressed Tony. We always make sure to give them a donation each year.”
That’s a common refrain.
“Every year we have people drop by because they know the Salvation Army helped them in the past,” Kiwanian Roger Carswell added.
“It’s amazing how Allen Countians give and continue to give,” Kiwanis member Mark Peters said.
