In Brown County, the 2024 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign began on Nov. 15. Local bell ringers Gerry Horner and Pat Woratschka have worked at the Hy-Vee location nearly every day since the campaign started and will be there through Christmas Eve.

Horner and Woratschka are longtime bell ringers. Horner began volunteering as a bell ringer in 2000. He remembers a local coordinator Anne Wiltscheck recruited him. She explained the purpose of the kettle campaign and that was enough to convince him to volunteer every holiday season. The main purpose of the Red Kettle campaign is to provide people with shelter.

“You don’t have a place to stay, get a hold of the Salvation Army and they get you a place,” Horner said. “I know a couple of people who have been helped by the Salvation Army. Without Salvation Army’s help, they wouldn’t be where they are today. Sometimes all it takes is a little gift.”

Woratschka started the bell ringing a little over 10 years ago.

Pat Woratschka has volunteered as a bell ringer in the Salvation Army capital campaign for over 10 years. He enjoys greeting people and appreciates the generosity of the public.

“I saw someone doing and they gave me a contact number and went from there,” Woratschka said.

“I like doing stuff like this.”

He enjoys greeting customers coming into the Hy-Vee store. The best part of bell ringing is he gets to see and talk with a lot of people. Some are people he only sees once a year, but many are longtime friends. Woratschka said he recognizes most people who donate.

Horner shared the same sentiment. He looks forward to ringing the Salvation Army bell every year and he will continue to volunteer to do it as long as he’s able.

Another reason the two bell ringers like volunteering for the Salvation Army; all the money donated to the red kettles remains local. All money collected by them will remain in Brown County and go to help Brown County charities and residents.

Pat Woratschka hold the bell he uses as a Salvation Army volunteer. Woratschka purchased the bell on his own. He said there is no “wrong way” to ring the bell, but it said is best to be subtle and not ring it too much.

In addition to offering holiday greetings. Horner and Woratschka have taken to handing out small suckers to customers, even to those who do not donate.

Horner said he continues to be impressed by the generosity of people. He remembered once seeing 4-year-old kids put three pennies in the kettle.

“I gave that kid a sucker for each penny he put in,” he said. “I know it meant a lot to him to give up those three pennies.”

“I’ve seen people give us money who clearly could not afford it,” he said.

Last year, a man came in who didn’t have any chance to give. That man came back later with a bucket full of change he had at home. Horner said that change added up to a lot.

He has also seen young kids put $100 in the kettle. Horner said that $100 was clearly a gift to the kid and the kid chose to donate it.

Horner and Woratschka both feel fortunate to serve as bell ringers at Hy-Vee. Not all businesses allow bell ringers to operate inside the store. Being outside on during the winter can be difficult during bitter cold winters. Fortunately, Hy-Vee is kind enough to let them stand indoors at the entrance of the store. It makes things a little more comfortable.

There are other Red Kettle donation sites in Brown County, but the Hy-vee kettle is one of the few that has bell ringers.

Horner confirmed there was a shortage of Salvation Army bell ringers. The shortage began a few years ago. This year there were a few extra volunteers from a local group home who rang bells for an afternoon, but Woratschka and Horner are the main bell ringers in New Ulm.

Horner thinks the reason for the shortage is people are not sure how to volunteer. The best way is to reach out to the Salvation Army regional manager. The regional manager for Brown County is Krystal Stover, she can be reached at krystal.stover@usc.salvationarmy.org. People can also reach out to the local coordinator Helen Hart who works at Brown County Family Services.

Individuals can register online. To sign up to ring at the Salvation Army, go to https://www.registertoring.com/and select a day, time and location that is convenient.

Horner said the best volunteers are those who are committed to helping and those who are honest. The bell ringers are given a lot of cash. Two years ago the kettle at Hy-Vee was stolen at the end of the night. Horner said it was one of the most upsetting experiences he has had as a bell ringer.

Despite that incident, Horner feels people have gotten more generous with their donations.

“I think people are more giving this year,” he said. “The generosity is there. People are also thanking us for what we do.”

Woratschka was also impressed with the public’s generosity. He estimated that most people who pass their kettle give something.

“Usually they give what they can and that’s more than enough,” Woratschka said.

“Any penny in the bucket is very valuable to the people who will need it,” Horner said. “It all adds up.”