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It was a celebration as the Salvation Army held their Red Kettle kick-off launching their 2022 Christmas Campaign and bringing the sound of bells ringing throughout the community.
The Red Kettles are a familiar sight at various commercial establishments in the area and help raise funds for the Salvation Army to support programs for those in need in the county throughout the year.
This year's original fundraising goal was surpassed through individual business sponsorships, so it was raised to $30,000-$35,000. By the end of the event, contributions in the little red kettles in the center of the tables had brought the total to $35,188.
"We're really grateful. We struggled through the pandemic and even though we couldn't raise money, there was a raised need for services," said Kent Bennett, advisory board chairman.
"Now we've got situations with inflation that really affect the low income and those on fixed incomes. So, we're seeing an increase in requests there. This helps fund our programs for the whole year," he said.
During the breakfast launch of the program -- complete with cheerleaders from the Williamsport Area High School -- Yvette Arthur, a member of the community who had benefited from the services at the Salvation Army, shared her story.
"We all have unforeseen circumstances that happen in our life," Arthur said. "It's the attitude we have in dealing with them and knowing that God is ultimately in control."
Arthur has an autoimmune disease that causes severe arthritis and a lot of pain, she said.
Her life's story included being molested before she was in kindergarten and having a father who was an intravenous drug user and alcoholic simultaneously. Her mother suffered from mental health issues.
"The men have continually had, more so than the women, mental health issues in my family," Arthur said. Her oldest son died in a crack house self-medicating his mental health symptoms.
When her son was killed, she visited someone here in Williamsport and found that it was like her hometown in New Jersey. At that point she decided to move here to protect her other son who is pervasively mentally challenged, she said.
During a low point in her life, she came to the Salvation Army for help.
"They welcomed me with open arms. They didn't judge me. I'm an educated woman. I'm not a slob. I just had a rough time," she shared.
"That's who these people are…so I thank you. I will be ever grateful to you," she said.
"Don't let anybody ever tell you that miracles can't happen," said Lt. Col. Larry Ashcraft, divisional leader of the Salvation Army's Easter PA and Delaware Division, followed Arthur's talk.
"You have reminded us today that our work is not in vain," he added.
Ashcraft also installed four new board members. They are: Drew Boyles, an independent consultant to Lycoming College; Olivia Lopatofsky, Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority; Natasha Mantle, Jersey Shore State Bank; and Jesse Osborne, Susquehanna Community Bank.
The last two years, the fundraising program was curtailed because of COVID. Anyone can volunteer to be a bellringer.
"It's hard to say how many bellringers we need, because some ring for a few hours on one day, whereas others may be willing to ring all day on every Saturday in the season, or something of that nature," said Laura L. Templeton, public relations and resource development director.
"In general, bellringers are needed for kettle stands 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Hours and days may vary slightly, depending on the operating hours of the hosting retail site. Bellringers do not need to stand for a full day," she said.
For the 2022 Season, so far the following local retail locations have agreed to host a kettle stand: Walmart, Sam's Club, Hobby Lobby, Big Lots and Center Court at the Lycoming Mall, near Burlington Coat Factory and their Festival of Trees display, which goes up this Sunday. Additional sites are pending store approval and depending on whether they have enough bellringers, Templeton said.
"The vast majority of local kettle-hours are staffed by volunteers -- for which we are incredibly grateful," she said.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer bellringer should contact Major Sheryl Hershey at 570-326-9187, and she can share more about the specific locations, dates, and hours for which we are still in need of volunteers. The Salvation Army is also accepting applications for paid seasonal bellringer help. For more information about applying for seasonal employment, contact Captain Jacki Brewer, at the same number.
Hershey will work with bellringers to schedule shorter shifts, however, due to kettle collection logistics, she that all shifts be at least two hours.