The red kettles, bells and aprons worn by volunteers during the Christmas season were definitely noticed as nearly $15,500 was raised this year for the Salvation Army in Poweshiek County.
Pastor George Salnave, chairman for the Poweshiek County Salvation Army reports that ringing the bells this Christmas season collected $13,265.88. Plus there were two special donations for a grand total of $14,881.08.
“It was an amazing year,” Salnave said. “The people were so happy and generous. This is the largest amount of money we’ve ever collected.”
Treasurer Darla Wilson said that a check arrived in the mail the week of January 8 for an additional $600 putting the grand total at $15,481 – a record high for Poweshiek County.
According to Salnave, at least 90 percent of the money raised in Poweshiek County remains in the county.
“The money helps our people in the community and our schools,” he said. “We’ve donated $6,000 to the schools this past year and that helps the teachers.”
Volunteers manned kettle stations at the Grinnell Fareway, Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee stores.
“I am very appreciative of the businesses for letting us place bell ringers at their establishments,” he said. “Without their help this wouldn’t have happened.”
Salnave also gives a special thank you to the Iowa Board of Realtors, Monsanto employees, Grinnell Mutual Re-Insurance, the Grinnell Rotary Club, Grinnell elementary school teachers, students and parents, Brownell's, Casey's General Stores, the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, Westfield Community Church, First Presbyterian Evangelical Church, Jackson Church of Christ, Faith Christian Center, Community Hope Church, and the United Methodist Church of Montezuma for their concerted and collective effort to ringing the bell.