Ringing the Bell Since 1989

Sign Up Now To Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army

For 21 years, the members of the East Hartford Rotary Club have rung the bell during the holiday season for the Salvation Army.  To date, the club has collected $57,475 (that's $2,737 per year) for this worthy organization that provides food, clothing, shelter, and other assistance to those in need.  Originally a club volunteer effort started by former member Roy Spiller, it has recently been led by Jack Sayre who can recall many times folks have told him how the Salvation Army helped their families when they were children.  WWII vets have told how the SA gave them free coffee and donuts.  One of his favorite stories is when a woman approached former member Tom Galvin when he was collecting.  Tom was bundled up against the cold and the woman asked, "Where do you people sleep at night?".  Another is when a woman in a Cadillac pulled up, popped the trunk of her car and told Jack that 'they' were in the trunk.  When he asked her "What?", she replied, "Clothes!". 

We began our 22nd year of bell-ringing on November 26th at the Stop n' Shop on Silver Lane in East Hartford.  Volunteers are still needed for one-hour blocks on each Saturday through December 17th.  The East Hartford Interacters are also volunteering.  Please contact Jack to volunteer an hour or two of your time to ring the bell for this worthy cause.  He assures all that this act of "Service Above Self" will have warm returns on your investment and help to fuel your holiday spirits.