Bell ringers still needed for Red Kettle Drive

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Lori Nottingham of Albion drops a donation in the red kettle at Tops Friendly Market in Medina. Manning the kettle are Peter Huth, in background, and Frank Berger, both of Medina. Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post volunteered to ring the bell for the entire day.

MEDINA – Ringing the bell for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive is something Frank Berger and Peter Huth have done for decades, and this year is no exception.

When the Butts-Clark American Legion Post signed up to provide volunteers at Tops Friendly Market in Medina on Friday, Berger and Huth were among the first to sign up.

While Huth has been volunteering for at least 25 years, Berger, 89, can’t remember how long he’s been doing it.

He remembers when there were bell ringers almost on every corner.

“We used to ring the bell at Rosenkrans and Country Club Restaurant on Main Street, and Ames when it was on Maple Ridge Road,” Berger said. “I volunteered in the morning when the sun was out, because it could get cold later on.”

For years, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has overseen the Red Kettle Campaign, where Katrina Chaffee, director of community services, is heading the drive.

While places to ring the bells have declined in recent years, every penny collected is much needed. This year, bell ringers are at Walmart and Tops in Albion and Tops in Medina.

It is stressed that every dollar collected in Orleans County stays in Orleans County.

Berger said he volunteers because he knows The Salvation Army does a lot for soldiers.

“I was in the service and I remember them brining us a cup of coffee and a donut,” he said. “My dad was in the trenches in World War I and The Salvation Army provided them with bags filled with personal care items, such as a bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, a brush and comb.”

Volunteers can still sign up to ring the bell by calling Community Action at (585) 589-5605 and asking for Katrina Chaffee.