Salvation Army seeks volunteers

CLOVIS — The Clovis Salvation Army has put out an appeal for volunteers to be bell-ringers at SA kettle stands throughout the city.

Miguel Ibarra, who with his wife Maria Ibarra operates the Salvation Army field officer in Clovis, said the SA’s annual appeal was later than usual this year for personal reasons, but as of last Thursday, the local SA is welcoming individuals and groups willing to stand by red SA kettles and ring bells to entice passersby to drop donations of cash or checks into the kettles.

The need for donations is great, Ibarra said.

“We will help 300 to 400 families this year,” he said, with donations that fund assistance to families in need of food, water and electricity bill payments.

Seniors in need receive commodity food boxes through SA donations, he said.

For Christmas, SA donations provide toys for children and holiday food baskets featuring turkey, chicken or ham to families in need.

Organizations that can offer multiple volunteers are especially welcome, Ibarra said.

“They can organize into shifts,” he said, and provide continuous coverage at the kettles.

SA kettles have been deployed at Clovis’ Walmart, Albertsons, Walgreens, Big Lots and Hobby Lobby stores, Ibarra said.

Normally, individuals volunteer for two-hour shifts as bell-ringers, he said.

Organizations and individuals who would like to volunteer can contact the SA by calling 575-762-3801 or the cell phones of Miguel Ibarra, 503-999-1643 or Maria Ibarra at 503-881 8621.

Ibarra may also be reached by email at [email protected].

More information about the Salvation Army’s western U.S. operations and donation options is available by visiting westernusasalvationarmy.org.