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University
loses a friend
Developmentally disabled runaway found in Canby
An interview with
the Clauses
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A smile and a nod at the door |
Salvation Army bell ringers still going strong after
more than a century of service |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at
sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com |
Marvin Davis’ cheeks are pink from the chilly weather Tuesday
afternoon as he sits in front of Fred Meyer. But that doesn’t stop
him from cracking a smile and sharing a hearty “Merry Christmas”
with a woman who slides folded money into the little red kettle
dangling at his side.
Bundled in a warm jacket and gloves, a hat pulled low over big
glasses, Davis’ hand rarely slows as he rings the bell, even when
he’s talking. A bowl of Tootsie Rolls and hard candies rests at his
elbow, a gift to anyone who wants one.
“I sing Christmas songs, church songs; I let it all flow,” he said.
“I get a lot of comments when I sing songs people haven’t heard in a
long time.”
Davis, a bell ringer for the last two years with the Salvation
Army, a program that’s collected change for more than a century,
said he hopes to collect $30-$40 in donations a day.
“Thank you very much,” he said, tipping his head as another shopper
drops money into the bucket. “Merry Christmas.”
The money will provide Christmas gifts to children all over the
county and help feed families throughout the year.
“I have a great time,” he said. “I’m here to make people cheerful.”
Often, older people approach Davis with stories about the help they
received from Salvation Army during one war or another, or parents
talk about the Christmas presents they received for their families,
presents that would not have been possible without the help of the
Salvation Army.
“They always know the Salvation Army will be there for them,” Davis
added. “This time of the year people have a giving heart. I see
people who come here over and over again. There is a lot of heart in
this area and the kids are wonderful.”
Davis remembered one small girl who carried her piggy bank toward
the store on her way to buy Christmas presents, but who had to stop
and add some of her coins to the bucket. He also enjoys seeing small
children putting their pennies in the bucket.
In addition to seeing people helped by the Salvation Army, Davis
has also worked at the St. Paul food bank, as well as St. Vincent de
Paul. He says he sees many people in need every day.
“A lot of people are hurting,” he adds.
“We raise pretty close to $30,000 to $35,000 a year,” says
Maj. Dennis Trimmer, a spokesperson for the Salvation Army in
McMinnville.
The money is used to help meet the need of those who come at
Christmas time for assistance, food and gifts for their families,
Trimmer says. “Christmas is a major fund-raising time nationally for
the Salvation Army. Any money raised helps support our work in
Yamhill County. These are real lean times but we have a great focus
upon what we do here for Christmas.”
Trimmer adds that at Christmas time the public’s attention is drawn
to those in need and he points out that the nonprofit agency works
with other groups, including those in Newberg, to provide families
with assistance during the holiday.
Despite a recent announcement from Target Stores that it will no
longer allow bell ringers in front of its stores, there have been no
decreases in the amount of money raised in Yamhill County, says
Trimmer.
“We haven’t had a decrease since we don’t have Targets in Yamhill
County,” he adds. “We’ve had good support for the kettles.
(Although) right now we seem a little behind what we raised last
year.”
The Target announcement has made people more generous in their
giving, Trimmer says. “I’ve seen a lot of people trying to
compensate,” he adds.
The Salvation Army is the practical side of Christianity, he says,
adding “it’s Christianity with its sleeves rolled up.”
Trimmer began volunteering with the Salvation Army when he was 8
years old and has rung the bell in bitter cold snows.
“It’s not as easy as it looks in the cold standing for long periods
of time, wet and cold,” he says. “But that adds to it. You get to
see people who just are so generous and want to help out and the
little kids love putting stuff in there.
“(Salvation Army is) almost a Christmas institution. Most people
have come to expect it. They look at it as a part of Christmas.
“There’s something about giving that helps put people in the
Christmas mood. You can see it in their eyes and face when you wish
them a Merry Christmas. It’s giving without asking for anything in
return.”
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From
Dec. 18, 2004,
Newberg Graphic
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