Salvation Army Aurora Corps seeks bell ringers, donations to meet $188K goal
Salvation Army Aurora Corps' Red Kettle holiday fundraiser is a little brighter.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Aurora Corps Major Joaquin Rangel received a $750 check from Susan Koepke and Randall “Randy” Brown, Aurora Lions Club co-presidents.
The presentation took place at the Lions' annual charter night dinner at Aurora Country Club. In brief remarks, Rangel, a guest of Brown at the event, thanked the Lions for their donation.
It was the Lions' second contribution to this year's Salvation Army drive. Brown, who emceed the event, reported that a dozen Aurora Lions collected $872 ringing Red Kettle bells outside Jewel-Osco in Aurora on Nov. 23.
Rangel said earlier he feared the fundraiser is unlikely to meet this year's financial goal of $188,000. Just under $40,000 has been collected, he said.
According to the major, inclement weather, a lack of volunteer bell-ringers plus fewer people carrying cash are contributing factors. He said the drive has spots for 40 bell-ringers but that only seven or eight are working at a time. The drive ends Dec. 24.
The shortage at the Aurora Corps isn't unique among area Salvation Army locations. In a recent press release, Major Caleb Senn, Salvation Army Chicago area commander, said “We are calling on the generosity of our neighbors to make sure children across the state have a merry Christmas.”
Call Rangel at (630) 897-7265 to volunteer or for more information.
Founded in 1922, Aurora Lions Club is celebrating its second century of service to the Aurora area. Open to men and women interested in community service, the club meets on the first and third Thursdays at Pomegranate Cafe in Aurora. Learn more at www.auroralionsclub.org.
With the motto “We Serve,” Lions volunteers focus on supporting causes including hearing and vision impairment, hunger, the environment, diabetes and childhood cancer.
Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Some 1.42 million members in more than 49,000 clubs serve in over 200 countries and geographic areas worldwide. Since 1917, Lions have strengthened local communities through hands-on service, humanitarian projects and extended service impact through the Sycamore-based Lions Clubs International Foundation. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org.