Realtors® Ring Bell for Salvation Army

By Kim Shindle
December 20, 2024
4 min.

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As the holiday season approaches, Realtors® from 16 local associations braved the cold weather on Friday, Dec. 6 to ring bells for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Ring Day.

Realtors® volunteering for the Red Kettle campaign originated in North Dakota in 2010. Ring Day, held each December, is specifically designated for Realtors® to contribute to their communities by ringing the bell and collecting donations.

All funds collected in the Red Kettles stay within that local community to support local food, shelter and social services provided by the Salvation Army.

“Realtors® are known for their community-oriented work, helping families find homes and creating connections within neighborhoods. The Red Kettle campaign provides an opportunity to expand that commitment beyond the industry. Being part of this campaign reminds us of the importance of shelter, warmth and support for everyone,” said PAR President-elect Bill Lublin.

“We are blessed for the ongoing partnership with many Realtor® organizations in Pennsylvania,” said Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, divisional commander of the Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. “By working together, we can make a greater impact in meeting the needs of our local communities. Ring Day is a powerful example of how collaboration and teamwork can bring real change and provide essential resources and support to our neighbors in need.”

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, which began in 1891, is now an iconic holiday tradition. It helps millions of people by raising money for food, toys, clothing and social services year-round.

Realtor® Darren Kostival, a member of the Reading-Berks Association of Realtors®, has volunteered for many years to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

“It’s important to help because the Salvation Army needs additional funding at this time of the year, and they struggle to get volunteers to help,” Kostival says. “It’s really only an hour or two of your time, which is a small amount of time to have a big impact.”

“I love being out there interacting with people. We are ringing at a farmer’s market, so we’ll get to interact with a lot of people and raise a lot of money. It’s really fulfilling to give back to the community. And when you’re out there, it puts you in the Christmas spirit!” he adds.

Francene Thomas, the association executive for the Clearfield-Jefferson Association of Realtors® and an associate broker, was ringing in the morning. Association members were at three Red Kettle locations in Clearfield, Dubois and Punxsutawney. “It was a cold day to be out, but we found that people were very friendly and generous!” she notes.

Lawrence County Association of Realtors® President Kim Cragle says this is the second year their association participated in Ring Day. She credits another Realtor® Jessica South, who had previously participated at the Beaver County Association and suggested the Lawrence County Association do the same. This year, members staffed four locations.

Cragle said, “It was a little cold, but it went really well. We raised more than $1,200 and had 17 Realtors®, three affiliates and our association executive volunteering. This is another way for our members to give back to the community. Everyone feels like it’s a great opportunity to be out in the community and raise money for the Salvation Army. It’s one of those feel-good activities that we can participate in.”

Local associations who participated in Ring Day this year included: