Kettle drive begins today

TORONTO - The bells will be ringing as volunteers man the kettles for the annual city unit of the Salvation Army's kettle drive set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning today and running every Friday and Saturday.

The drive, which will continue through Monday and Tuesday of Christmas week, will include volunteers manning kettles at both city Kwik King food stores and Stacey's IGA grocery store. Organizations and churches so far slated to provide volunteers this year include the North River Avenue Christian Church; Bell Chapel United Methodist Church; First United Methodist Church; Riverview United Methodist Church; First Church of the Nazarene; Toronto Masons and Eastern Star; Toronto Kiwanis Club; St. Joseph and St. Francis churches; First Presbyterian Church; and students from Toronto High School.

Don Redmond, kettle drive coordinator, said he's hoping by beginning this year's drive earlier he will have more than enough volunteers.

"I was hoping by starting early it wouldn't be as hard to fill the one-hour slots," said Redmond, adding some of the churches and organizations have trouble filling their allotted slots. "I've got a whole big list of substitutes I can call. But the problem is the older people that volunteer every year are getting too old, and the younger people aren't stepping up to the plate."

Redmond is candid about what he said is the need for younger citizens to volunteer.

"The young ones who do volunteer are very dedicated, but they are few and far in between," Redmond said, adding he's still seeking volunteers for Dec. 21-22. "I've got letters out to some organizations that did the kettle drive last year and haven't gotten back to me yet. There are other organizations that plan on (volunteering), but they haven't come up with a day yet."

Redmond also said although the Toronto unit has raised record funds through its last two kettle drives, the unit still can't keep up with demand.

"We did really well last year," he said, adding he knows those in Toronto will contribute. "But the need keeps growing and growing. I don't know what our area would do without the Salvation Army. Some people would be in far, far worse shape without the Salvation Army being here. It's scary."

Redmond also said those who do volunteer often discover they enjoy the experience.

"The people that do ring really enjoy it," he said. "They may dread knowing they have to do it, but once they do, they usually find they want to do it again."

To volunteer or for information, call Redmond at (740) 537-4486.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)