ROCHELLE — The numbers are in and it is clear Rochelle was in the giving spirit this holiday season with shoppers giving generously to the Salvation Army kettle campaign.

The end result — 70 percent of all monies collected will be distributed to those in need right here in the Rochelle community.

Volunteers of all ages tended the collection kettles at several area stores, ringing the bell for a total of 178 hours over the course of three weekends. Organizing this year’s volunteer crews was Larry Wing with Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K.

Wing explained even with the cold temperatures, they had an increase of over seven percent from last year even with reduced collection times. Volunteers sign up for one-hour shifts. Some take on more than one hour.

“Historically we schedule over 200 hours during the holiday season. This year we cut that back to 178 hours because of the brutal cold…it was just too cold and windy,” said Wing. “Even with us cutting back the hours, we still had an increase from last year. In this day and age to have an increase it goes to show the community of Rochelle is very giving, very involved, and very generous.”

Volunteers ranged from church members, high school students, employees from local businesses, and families. Members of the Golden K also contributed over 100 hours.

“Our ringers…we get kids from the high school and families want to ring. You’ll see them out there with toddlers,” Wing said. “It’s usually in groups of two or three. This year the Midnight Voices rang an hour at each of the places. I have two or three families that like to go to WalMart and they sing. I have one guy who brings his guitar with his family and they sing carols. It becomes a lot of fun for a lot of folks.”

Beginnings

The ringing of the bell and the red kettle has been synonymous with the Christmas season for over a century. Donations to the Salvation Army assist in several ways including going to help disaster survivors, cure hunger, overcome poverty, provide shelter, and combat addiction.

Each year 70 percent of all monies tucked inside the red kettles comes back to the community, available through the Rochelle United Methodist Church.

“Everyone knows what the Salvation Army does for the world, but they also give a large portion of it right back to the community. That 70 percent means a lot to this community, that they can utilize it to help folks,” Wing said.

Wing along with Hugh McDermitt and the members of the Kiwanis Golden K expressed their gratitude to all who helped contribute.

“Thank you for sharing, whether you shared your time, your talents, or whether you shared your money, thank you,” Wing said gratefully. “We do it for the kids, that’s what it’s all about. We feel that working with the Salvation Army that we are helping our community and the kids in our community…that’s what it’s all about.”