Opinion : $10k raised! Thanks for making Salvation Army bell-ringing fund-raiser a success

CONGRATULATIONS Vinton and Benton County Residents:

November and December of 2013, I was privileged to SUCCESSFULLY re-establish the volunteer assistance program of the Salvation Army in Vinton. This program had been limited to $200.00 annually for the past seven years, due to the lack of “Bell Ringers”.

THANKS to MANY generous hearts, we were able to achieve the $10,000 goal set … 70% of these funds stays in the Vinton assisting those in need in our area and 30% to meet other emergency needs on the Salvation Army national level. This is a victory for ALL who care for the welfare of those in times of need.

THANKS to the Vinton Fareway Store for allowing us space to ring the bell at their location.

THANKS to Casey’s General Store, Ehlinger’s Convenience Store, Fast Stop Convenience Store, John’s Qwik Stop, Koop’s Automotive, LaGrange Pharmacy, and Theisen’s for taking donations thru kettle displays.

THANKS to the Cedar Valley Daily Times and Vinton Today’s abundant informational assistance.

THANKS to the bell-ringers, too numerous to specifically mention. These volunteers represent EVERY sector of our community. Whether you came as an individual, as a family, as a business, as a church or as a community group … YOU CAME.

THANKS TO all the people who gave so generously most of all.

Without ANY of the afore mentioned , there would be no Salvation Army representation in Vinton.

You made a vision become a reality. My next vision is to carry this assistance program to all the cities of Benton County over the next few years.

May God richly bless all of you in 2014.

With Appreciation,

Bob Gaston

Volunteer Coordinator

Benton County Salvation Army