Gresey: Bring on the holiday bell ringers

The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps continues to seek bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Campaign.

News editor Al Lagattolla and I took a turn bell ringing Wednesday outside of Blue Goose Market in St. Charles.

It was a bit colder outside of Blue Goose than it was inside of Charlestowne Mall last year, but that didn’t stop people from tossing spare change or bigger bucks into the kettle that we manned.

I’ve always found bell ringing to be an enjoyable, heart-warming experience, and I know Al does, as well. (Reporter Ashley Rhodebeck also is a bell ringer who has volunteered with The Salvation Army multiple times.)

This year, The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps has set a goal of $375,000, which it will use for Christmas assistance programs and other needs.

Those looking to donate to the cause can do so through more than a dozen red kettle locations throughout the Tri-Cities, including Hobby Lobby, Jewel, Walgreens, Walmart, Starbucks, Blue Goose and Charlestowne Mall.

Donations also can be made online at www.satricity.org. Just click the “donate now” link on the left side of the page. In addition, donations can be made by texting “mistletoe” to 41444.

Volunteer bell ringers are needed through Dec. 24. Those interested can sign up at the aforementioned website or by calling The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps at 630-377-2769.

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Kane County Chronicle columnist Jennifer DuBose recently received a nice note from a reader regarding her piece on starting to take piano lessons again.

“Just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your tales of learning piano at a relatively [older] age!” wrote St. Charles resident Carol Devoss in an email. “My own history with piano lessons is rather checkered, but about a year ago at the tender age of 67, I found a really great teacher, thanks to neighbors of mine. So, it’s never too late! Keep it up!”

Thanks for the note, Carol. Others who want to submit feedback about Chronicle articles and columns can do so at anytime. Just shoot me an email using the contact information below.