Ringing the bell for good

LACONIA — Sharon Sousa and Laura Cate were downtown Friday morning, raising money for the Salvation Army. It’s part of that organization's annual bell-ringing campaign, but this year that volunteer assignment came delivered, with a twist.

Cate was dressed as a Butterball turkey, and the crowd was going wild. 

“Oh yes, very much good luck,” Cate said when asked if folks were feeling generous Friday morning. 

“People are very nice,” Sousa said. “I think it's going very well.” 

The pair had been at the corner of Pleasant and Main streets since 9 a.m. on Nov. 21, and showed no signs of fatigue. 

“We bell-ring up until Christmas Eve,” Salvation Army Capt. Christopher West said Friday afternoon. “We do it Monday through Saturday.”

The public is welcome to come into their storefront, located at 177 Union Ave., or to call 603-524-1834, if they’d like to contribute to the fundraising campaign. Funds donated in Laconia remain in the local area, supporting the Salvation Army's food assistance program, soup kitchen and food pantry, along with a summer camp in Sebago, Maine, which is provided free of charge to children and their families.

Funds also support the organization's Christmas assistance program, which furnishes food, toys, boots and socks to families in need, and helps them support the Carey House.

“Those are the things that we do,” West said.

They’re always looking for volunteers and bell-ringers. If somebody is interested in getting involved, they should go to the Union Avenue Salvation Army office, or call the office and speak with West. Those interested in making a donation can either deliver one in person there, mail it to that location — checks should be made out to The Salvation Army — or find one of the bell-ringers at Walmart, Shaw’s or Market Basket.