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6 Things Salvation Army Bell Ringers Want You To Know

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with 1 Month Realty 49855-090

6 Things Salvation Army Bell Ringers Want You To Know

An Opportunity to Pay it Forward

Making a Difference

 

Diana Ringing Salvation Army Bell               

   Diana Dahlberg, 1 Month Realty                         Two young ladies stopped by to help us!

    with Steve Last from Lake to Lake                     They were elfs at a Santa Lunch in town.

 

1. The bell ringing season starts each November and runs through Christmas Eve. After that, the red kettles get packed away for the season.   As a Volunteer, we can make the difference between an empty kettle or one that may raise about $30 per hour -- that is enough money to provide two bags of groceries to a family or to shelter an individual for a night.  

 

2. Who can bell ring for the Salvation Army?  Anyone!  YOU!  Check out your local Salvation Army and let them know your availability. They would LOVE for you to volunteer. 

 

3. An annual opportunity to "Pay it Forward" ... I volunteer through our SRA Southshore Realtors Association every year.  Each Agent will usually volunteer in 2 hour blocks of time. This year the weather was so nice. I was lucky to share my space with one of my fellow Realtors, Steve and we had all types of Christmas music playing while we sang along, greeting folks - young and old - while some more of our commrades competed with Christmas Carols that filled the air with good cheer.  

 

4. Giving  teaches our children.   It was fun to watch as some gave a bag full of coins they saved for this special moment, or some gave loose change from the bottom of a purse, other's gave checks, or dollar bills.  But the sweetest contributions came from the little ones. Their eyes twinkled as they were held by loving parents as they delighted in giving.  This moment instills generosity in your children that will hopefully last a lifetime.

 

5. We love to hear your stories.  Sometimes we are lucky enough to have people stop by and share beautiful stories of how they have been helped by the Salvation Army.  Really warms the heart.  

 

6. The Salvation Army has been around for 130 years and helps people in a number of ways; last year alone they serviced over 30 million people.  Their Mission is simple ... " ... to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination." 

 

A YouTube Video by Salvation Army North

Salvation Army bell ringers find Christmas Spirit at Kettles

 

Diana Dahlberg                                                            1 Month Realty Logo                     

Diana Dahlberg, Broker/Owner/Realtor/ABR/ePro

1 MONTH REALTY - Serving SE Wisconsin since 1994 

(262) 657-1171 Office     (262) 308-3563 cell      

Website #1     Website #2     Blogs and Things     Relocating? Kenosha/Racine

 

Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Six wonderful things we all need to know.....excellent pay it forward.

Dec 08, 2015 09:12 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Thanks Roger! There are so many wonderful causes; but this is one of my favorites.

Dec 08, 2015 10:58 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Great post, Diana Dahlberg .  The Salvation Army is one of the few national charities I have any trust in.  

Dec 08, 2015 09:13 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Carol.  I understand what you are saying.  There are a few others but the choices of trustworthy organizations has narrowed. 

Dec 08, 2015 11:00 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Thank you for inspiring us all.   You are an angel.  

Dec 08, 2015 10:43 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Belinda.  I'm honored that you were inspired by my post.  Thank you so much for coming up with this great contest idea ... it actually inspired me to write a blog.  I still struggle with coming up with ideas - but you were my impetus! 

Dec 08, 2015 11:02 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

The Salvation Army is amazing. They saved my brother in law and I'll always be grateful.

Dec 08, 2015 11:29 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner That's absolutely wonderful!  I can see why you would be grateful.  I'm happy for you and your brothers.  Best decision he ever made!

Dec 08, 2015 03:09 PM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

Hello Diana, I think helping to ring the bell is a great way to pay it forward. Anyone taking time out of their schedule to stand in cold weather and ring a bell is a good thing and shows who you are as a person.

 

Dec 08, 2015 07:48 PM
Diana Dahlberg

Thanks Bob.  You are so kind.

Dec 09, 2015 02:43 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Diana Dahlberg ,

Love your post! The Salvation Army is amazing..thanks for inspiring us and sharing a wonderful way to pay it forward!

Dec 08, 2015 08:42 PM
Diana Dahlberg

Thanks Dorie.  I appreciate your comments. And paying it forward is something you do all the time ... I enjoyed your message too!

Dec 09, 2015 02:44 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Diana -  your by-the-point post shows the power of the kettle.  Thanks for your entry.  

Dec 08, 2015 10:02 PM
Diana Dahlberg

Thanks Mike.  I probably could have made more points ... but there is power in the kettle and I'm thankful that there are so many that give so that those in need can receive.

Dec 09, 2015 02:45 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

This has been around for a very long time and I have always incorporated it with part of the holiday spirit.

Dec 09, 2015 02:55 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Brian.  Yes it has -- 130 years!  I think it's synonomous with Christmas Giving Spirit!

Dec 09, 2015 03:02 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have a very personal connection.  The home I lived in in 1992 was hit by a tornado. I had a 4 year old. We were without power for more than a week. It was the week of Thanksgiving.

The Salvation Army brought a food truck through my neighborhood each day and served a hot meal to all of us who were picking through debris and saving what we could and cleaning up and repairing damanaged properties. They also helped to provide for Christmas for my daughter.

I've have been a faithful paybacker since that year.  It's always the first choice for my donation. I appreciate their low budget for administration issues and love they share the word of God.

Dec 09, 2015 05:28 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Tammy.  What a beautiful testimony of the proof that the Salvation Army is there for those in need. God Bless You! Thank you for sharing this with me.

Dec 09, 2015 06:05 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Ah! This is a happy post with lots of inspiration and good for the many blessings so desperately needed. You look terrific in that photo! What you did and how you're motivating others is commendable. I hope this one gets featured. It's perfect for the holidays!

Dec 09, 2015 08:45 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Patricia. Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words. You have blessed me.  Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Dec 09, 2015 09:10 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

How thoughtful of you to stand out in the cold collecting ...

Best wishes,

Sam Shueh

Dec 10, 2015 12:14 PM
Diana Dahlberg

Thanks Sam.  However, I have to tell you, it was the warmest Bell Ringing I've ever experienced.  It was cool, but not cold. We are having unusually warm weather in Wisconsin these days.  Today it was almost 60 degrees.  I know it won't last so I'm enjoying every moment. Merry Christmas Sam. 

Dec 10, 2015 12:27 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Diana, good for you helping such a worthy cause, there were some stores a few years ago that would not allow the Salvation Army to ring bells by their entrance .... you know "over politically correctness" I stopped frequenting that chain.... I will not even mention their name not wanting to give them "air time" quite frankly I blocked them out of my mind. Have a Merry Christmas...Endre

Dec 19, 2015 04:19 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Endre, you are so right.  We have had the same thing happen here and I, like you, do not buy from their establishments anymore. I'm hoping we see some changes to the PC world of madness and come back to our roots of wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas"! --Diana

Dec 19, 2015 04:30 AM
Kelly Hagglund
The Kelly Group Real Estate - Newberg, OR
SW Portland Real Estate Expert

Hi Diana Dahlberg, I am so sorry I missed this when you first posted! Such great information and so true about passing along the spirit of giving. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for a fantastic new year!

Dec 28, 2015 03:51 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Hi Kelly.  Thank you so much for your well wishes.  Yes, we had a wonderful and Merry Christmas and now I'm getting ready to go and visit my son and daughter and grandkids in Arizona!  Wishing you a Happy New Year! 

Dec 28, 2015 04:15 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Our Board of REALTORS(r) and our Church both support Salvation Army all year long.

Jan 25, 2016 10:11 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Evelyn Johnston The Salvation Army is a most worthy cause to be supported 365 days of the year because the needs do not just go away after Christmas.  I'm glad you and I are playing our part.

Jan 25, 2016 10:45 AM