McCombie to ring again for Salvation Army

• Helen McCombie

Helen McCombie will be ringing for the Salvation Army for 30 consecutive hours beginning at 5 a.m. on Monday. Her goal is to raise $30,000 in that time, a goal she met for the first time last year. Submitted photo

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Last year was supposed to be the end of a four-year run for marathon Salvation Army bell ringer Helen McCombie of North Hudson. But bad weather and tough economic times have her taking up the bell for another year.

Every holiday season since 1996 McCombie has rung the bell for the Salvation Army for 30 consecutive hours. Her goal has been to raise $30,000 in that time and she finally hit her goal last year.

“Last year was the first year I met my goal, and I decided to retire with gratitude to all who helped me. But the Salvation Army is hurting and not just for bell ringers. Donations are down throughout the United States so I decided to do it again,” said McCombie in a letter to supporters.

She will have help this season from her family. Her youngest daughter, Rebecca, will ring next to her mother in Hudson. McCombie’s son, U.S. Air Force Sgt. Thomas McCombie will also ring for 30 hours in Rapid City, S.d., for the Salvation Army there, while a friend and co-worker, Shonna Baldwin, will ring for the cause in Brainerd, Minn.

“I would like to have ringers in all 50 states and encourage anyone interested to contact me at (715) 220-9436 or at hmccombie@yahoo.com., said McCombie.

McCombie will be ringing in front of County Market in Hudson starting Monday, Dec. 20, at 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

I’m already shopping for layers and layers to wear. Last year, the high temps didn’t even make it above 3 degrees. With the wind chill it felt more like minus 20 but making my goal warmed me up in no time and I’d like to do that again this year. That would be awesome,” wrote McCombie.

Volunteers to man the red kettles for two-hour shifts are needed through Christmas Eve. Locally there will be kettles in front of County Market, Wal-Mart and Family Fresh. To volunteer as a bell ringer or make a donation call (715) 247-2944. Donations can be mailed to Salvation Army of St. Croix County, 203 Church Hill Road, Somerset, WI 54025.

Salvation Army hit hard by snowstorm

The weekend blizzard created problems for almost everyone and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign was no exception.

The storm kept bell ringers and donors at home on what are usually very good donation days in a year when collections are already falling short.

Duana Bremer of the Salvation Army St. Croix County says that requests for help in the area have more than tripled over the past year and are expected to keep rising. “People are really struggling through some tough times. They need help with food, shelter and transportation and more. And they need hope. That’s what your donations give them.” She adds that donations made in St. Croix County, stay in St. Croix County.

Volunteers to man the red kettles for two-hour shifts are needed through Christmas Eve. Locally there will be kettles in front of County Market, Wal-Mart and Family Fresh. To volunteer as a bell ringer or make a donation call (715) 247-2944. Donations can also be mailed to Salvation Army of St. Croix County, 203 Church Hill Road, Somerset, WI 54025.

Tags: communities, hudson, money