About Dunwoody reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 2013)
PERIMETER BUSINESS The Salvation Army raises funds with red buckets, bells They're a true sign of the holiday season. The Salvation Army's dona tion collectors, with their recogniz able red buckets and ringing bells, are taking to the streets again. In this time of Internet fundrais ers and gifts-by-Twitter, why do they keep showing up in front of groceries and malls to greet pass- ersby and collect coins? Here's what a volunteer bell ringer who stands outside businesses in the Perime ter and Buckhead and a Salvation Army lieutenant who oversees col lections in those areas had to say. Bell ringer Wal ter Long, a tall, talk ative 53-year-old, first volunteered to col lect for The Salva tion Army last year. This year, he'll be back, manning his red bucket and ringing his bell about three days a week at vari ous locations around Buckhead and Brookhaven. His enthusiasm for the job shows. "I really enjoy it," he said one recent afternoon as he collect ed donations outside a Brookhaven grocery. "It's a great way to volun teer." Q Why do you do this? A It can really be ** fun. You can brighten up people's days. People donate and they know they're helping. Peo ple see this kettle and it's nostalgic. I can't tell you how many come by this bucket and say, 'This is my Number One charity." Q How do people react when they see you standing here with the bell and bucket? Ninety-nine percent of the ** people love us. The other 1 percent love us, too, they just don't know it yet. Half the people who put money in this bucket they say, "Thank you. Thank you for ringing the bell.' For some people, who are lonely during the holidays, this real ly brightens their day... The smiles you get. It can be rewarding. After you do this for a day, you feel re- Lt. Stephen Correira Walter Long warded. It's really refreshing." Q What's the oddest thing you've seen while collecting? A Last week, there was a guy. He ** looked homeless. He was car rying his backpack and he comes and puts a whole jar of coins in my basket. It's just amazing, the gener osity. Beneath it all, we are soldiers of Christ. You see it come out in peo ple at this time of the year. It pulls us together as a community. It picks me up. Life's different for everybody, but when you give to others, it's a pick-me- up. Lieutenant Stephen Correira works as an assistant corps officer for the Atlanta Tem ple Corps of The Sal vation Army. The 38-year-old watches over red bucket col lections at 38 loca tions in the Perim eter, Buckhead and parts of DeKalb County. Last year, the bell ringers collected $194,000 in his area, he said. His goal for 2013 is $200,000. Q How important is the bell ringer program to The Salva tion Army? /\ This is our sin- ** gle, largest an nual fundraiser of the year. The funds generated at these lo cations give us 80 percent of our total revenue. With so many other ways to collect contribu tions, why continue to do it this way? This is nostalgic for people.** They look for ward to seeing the red buckets. Peo ple are donating online as well, but the vast majority of our donations is happening at these kettles. The need is great. The need for our services keeps going up. In met ro Atlanta alone, we served 104,000 nights [for homeless people]. We helped 54,000 people with rental, food, Christian assistance. Q Don't the buckets and bells seem a little old-fashioned? /\ If it was old-fashioned and out ** of date, we wouldn't be stand ing here. ICVCI Q relax, you've found the perfect gift The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. But when you give the gift of massage The Elements Way,™ you’re giving your loved one a personalized session of bliss that promotes less stress, elevated mood and holiday GIFT CARD SPECIAL 2 FOR $ 99 55-MIN MASSAGE SESSION GIFT CARDS Recipients Must be New Clients. Limit 3. Offer ends 12/31/13. 404.254.4050 elementsmassage.com/buckhead elements massage - Buckhead Chastain Square Shopping Center 4285 Roswell Rd Atlanta, GA 30342 Find out why people love us at facebook.com/elementsmassage Call Today 404-816-9336 www.BrookhavenDentalAssociates.com Brook\ A I We welcome you and your family to join Brookhaven Dental Associates Saturday Appointments Our services are in-house Pain-free dentistry Preferred Provider Finance with Care Credit® Program Open up new doors with a new smile for $ 179/mo* $129 New Patient Offer Save $200 8 veneers with approval from care credit for 60 months. ^Includes: X-rays, periodontal (gum) evaluation, oral cancer screening, oral exam 8c basic cleaning. Not valid with other offers or dental insurance. Expires 12-31-2013. vyillrird fir Nt faldweh ft-: A Dresden Ch Of NT Qcnee Left to right: Susana, Bailee, Dr. Vik, Carol 1407 Dresden Drive Atlanta, GA 30319 www.ReporterNewspapers.netl NOV. 29 —DEC. 12, 2013 | 11
