BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Robin Leipart is the area coordinator for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, her second year in this role. In Merrill, volunteers are still needed to ring bells at the Merrill Walmart and County Market. “We typically start the week of hunting season and go through Dec. 24,” Leipart said. “We do observe Thanksgiving Day and every Sunday as a time for rest and family time.”
“Merrill has been ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign for 29 years,” Leipart said. She cites the generous support of the community for making the annual campaign a success in our area.
“Last year the generous people of Merrill donated $23,074,” she said, with 87 cents of every dollar staying in Lincoln County. “The money that stays in our area helps people who are experiencing hardships. This could be helping a mom buy diapers for their baby or assisting with an electric bill, rent, purchase of a hot water heater. or whatever else the need might be.”
“If you take a minute to think about it, I am sure you know of someone who has benefited from this campaign,” Leipart said. “A friend who just needed help with a month’s rent or a fire where there was a big loss. Your neighbor who had a sudden illness [who] needs help getting to and from appointments, the list goes on and on.”
“This year’s goal is to reach the $30,000 mark,” she said. “Pre-COVID in 2020, we raised over $51,000 from our Merrill area. Some things have changed, but I can see the people of Merrill take pride in our community and have no doubt that we can reach our goal.”
“I started ringing bells two years ago and had so much fun!” Leipart said. “I love to bring my grandchildren with me. Giving them an example to be a kind and caring person starts young! It shows them that having a servant’s heart makes for a better tomorrow.”
“I urge anyone who is interested in helping out to make it fun!” she said. “What that might look like could be a challenge to friends and family to see who volunteers the most hours. It could be a little competition between Merrill Fire Department and Merrill Police Department? Schools could do penny wars to see what grade collects the most coin.”
“Grandparents, I challenge you to sign up and ring with your grandchildren. It feels so good to see the joy on the kids’ faces when people stop to donate and say hi,” Leipart said. “It also makes a fun date night!”
“Maybe you have been blessed with a musical talent or love to sing. By all means make it fun and joyful!” she said. “We have several MAPS clubs and classes coming out to help again this year. So you might be lucky enough to listen to some Christmas music from a few of our band members as well as choir students.”
“… We all have busy schedules and want to make it easy for people to still volunteer,” Leipart said. “Volunteers can go online at registertoring.com and choose the time and day that works for them. … We have it set in one-hour intervals so people can choose what works best for them. We have some that ring for one hour and we have some that will ring a 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift. ANY amount of time that is volunteered is greatly appreciated.”
Leipart said she is also happy to help anyone without internet access to get signed up. Call or text her at 715.965.7314.
“If we do not have ringers signed up to fill all positions, the kettle may be locked to the stand and is still available to accept donations,” she said. “The area is under surveillance with the store camera system.”
There’s no doubt the kettle gets a lot more attention–and probably donations–when there are human beings helping draw attention to it with Christmas carols and smiling faces, however. Perhaps this is one way your family can make helping others a part of their annual family traditions.
