The Salvation Army Wants You

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Each year, holiday shoppers enter and exit their favorite stores that are adorned with red kettles and their bell ringing counterparts.  

Salvation Army Corps of Zanesville Seasonal Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Dearfield announced the need for volunteer bellringers and shared the importance of the proceeds drawn from their efforts.

“Basically, we need some help with ringing bells,” Dearfield said. “Bellringing is our biggest, actually, probably our only fundraiser of the year that… for our community outreach. And just to give you some stats, we gave 803 coats away last month, we have 795 children on our angel tree list and we also have 150 names overflow of families that did not make the angel tree.”

Salvation Army Cook Bill Gheen announced the need for turkeys to serve during their annual Thanksgiving Eve Dinner and explained the impact that meal has on the community.

“Just bring them into the Army and we’ll accept all that we can get,” Gheen said. “Before Covid, we was doing 6 and 700 but last year we did about 395. That’s just in-meals and about 150 take outs. And also the elderly people that can’t get out, they can call us at the Salvation Army and we will deliver them that meal that night. We also need volunteers with them to help.”

Dearfield added that with this year’s government shutdown, demands are expected to increase. So if you or your organization would like to help fill a need in the community, you can contact the Salvation Army for more details at (740) 452-8350.