WESTFIELD-Salvation Army bell ringers are needed this holiday season more than ever, according to local kettle coordinator Mary Lou Dazelle.
“We have had to cut back the hours on our kettles because we don’t have the staff,” said Dazelle, who is now in her fifth season coordinating local logistics.
“Before I started as the kettle coordinator I rang the bells for many years,” said Dazelle. “It is always such a pleasure ringing the bell.”
Keandra Lanier with the Work Opportunity Center has been a Salvation Army bell ringer for the Westfield unit for four years. (MARY LOU DAZELLE PHOTO)
In previous years, Dazelle had been able to pay 15 ringers and she would hire people from the Forum House in Westfield and the Work Opportunity Center in West Springfield.
“Because of COVID, I have had less people who are available and I also have less volunteers,” she said, adding, “It’s been tough to fill the slots I have open at Walmart and Stop & Shop.”
Currently, Dazelle has corporate contracts with Walmart, Stop & Shop, Walgreens and Dunkin’ at the Little River Plaza Shopping Center.
“I don’t have any ringers to cover Walgreens and Dunkin’,” she said.
Dazelle has the kettles set up Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Walmart, and from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday at Stop & Shop.
“I have one couple who volunteers to ring the bells on Saturdays from 3 – 5 p.m. so I can always make time for them,” said Dazelle, noting she will be “very flexible” if someone would like to volunteer to ring the bells during hours later in the day.
Dazelle said that students in the confirmation class at St. Mary’s Church have offered to ring bells, and she said any organization that would like to get involved is welcomed.
“Laurie Matthews, our service unit coordinator, knows how to stretch a dollar,” said Dazelle. “Every size donation goes to help local families.”
Dazelle noted that funds raised can help in a variety of ways, from purchasing food for a family, helping a senior with a heating or electric bill, to those in emergency situations including persons impacted by a fire.
“We are also fortunate we have an anonymous donor who puts in $5,000 every year to help during our kettle drive,” said Dazelle.
For local residents or groups who could volunteer a couple of hours to ring the kettle bells, contact Dazelle for more details at (413) 562-2910.
On a related note, Matthews said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has seen a rise in first-time clients who have lost jobs and “have never found themselves in this position of needing help.”
“Due to COVID we have also seen several of our donors being businesses that have been affected greatly, and this has meant the need for the community to help out more in the way of toy donations,” said Matthews.
Matthews said donations are “gladly accepted and appreciated” and can be made Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Dec. 21 in the social hall at St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church, at the corner of 73 Main St. and Clinton Avenue.
