Volunteers from the Clarkston United Methodist Church continue the age-old tradition of ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
This season marks the church’s 20th year with the red kettle drive, in front of Farmer Jack and Kroger locations in Independence Township. Their involvement with the holiday collection drive goes back to its roots, outside the Village Bake Shop.
The group, made of 80 volunteers, has been ringing since the first weekend of the month and will be back at its posts outside the grocer’s doors Dec. 16-17.
Volunteer organizer Jay Bleim, a member of CUMC, has been a part of the group of ringers for 17 years, he said.
‘What you really get out of it is wishing people a merry Christmas whether they contribute or not,? Bleim said.
Originally, the volunteerism was limited to the CUMC Men’s Group. That changed when they moved to the larger locations at the grocers because more time slots became available.
For the first time since his childhood, Jeremy Bleim, Jay’s son, has been ringing this year. Jeremy also brought his own son, Justin, 7. The two accompanied church volunteers on Dec. 2-3.
Jeremy rang as a child himself, at age 10, during one of Jay’s first years with the group.
‘It was a good experience because I got to explain to him why we were doing this…(and) he understood,? Jeremy said.
‘It was good to pass that on to my son,? he said.
Pastor Richard Dake of CUMC said collecting for the Salvation Army is valuable because of the services the organization provides.
‘Bell ringing helps people who come to the Salvation Army for a variety of reasons,? Dake said.
‘What they do is a critical ministry.?
CUMC and the organizations are closely linked.
‘We’re very proud to support them,? Dake said.