St. Edward tops all bell ringers
After a breakfast feast at Happy Thought Coffee Monday morning, the Rev. Ed Dutton thanked all those attending for coming to his breakfast.
As volunteer kettle coordinator for the Salvation Army, Dutton organizes the annual bell ringing during the holidays at Kroger.
This year’s volunteers exceeded Dutton’s goal of $10,000, collecting $11,389.95.
“This is one kettle at one location at one store,” said Dutton. “I’m very happy with it. The demand is so high, and unemployment is up, but we will get by.”
Dutton then announced the recipients of the bell ringing awards, with St. Edward Catholic Church collecting $2,408.43 to be named the top overall group and the top church.
“Chillicothe churches did an outstanding job this year,” said Dutton, “raising almost $4,000 combined.”
The top celebrity bell ringers were the members of the Special Touch Choir, raising $222.32. Roger and Sandy Reliford accepted for the group.
Winning the Illinois Valley Central High School Challenge was the French National Honor Society, with $1,065.36.
The top counter kettle was located at Circle K South, formerly WARECO, collecting $247.65.
Dutton also mentioned other notable collections made during bell ringing — Chillicothe Community Fire Department, $1,375.48; IVC Spanish National Honor Society, $774.50; First United Methodist Church, $678.30; Chillicothe Christian Church, $524.34; and Chillicothe Bible Church, $358.96.
Also on Dutton’s thank you list were Kroger, its management and employees, who allow the bell ringers to stand inside the front entrance; and South Side Bank, where the funds are counted and deposited.
Getting to the final total was fraught with challenges, said Dutton.
“As of Dec. 24th, we were not going to make our goal,” he said. “We were not even at $9,000. But on the 24th, the firefighters rang. They called me two times to come down and empty the bucket. In one day, they collected $1,375.45.”
Together, Dutton said, various groups and individuals lent a hand in assisting friends and neighbors in need throughout the community.
“This was an extreme effort,” said Dutton. “There were actually more bell ringers this year, but we took in less money, which is just a reflection of the times.
“The demand, however, continues to increase. For example, the Love in Action Food Pantry is doing over 100 families a week, compared to 65 two years ago.
“The city of Chillicothe is a pretty neat city. I’ve been here 26 years, and they all come together
and step up to the plate. Thank you, and God bless you.”
