Bell-ringing contest set for Thursday

This Thursday, Dec. 14, the Salvation Army’s annual “Bell Ringing” city competition will take place at several retail locations throughout the Flathead Valley.

Residents are encourged to show support by donating to the bucket at the locations listed below. The city raising the most money during the day will be recognized and receive the City Bell-Ringing Competition traveling trophy.

The contestants this year — in order of how they finished last year — are:

1) City of Columbia Falls at Smith’s grocery on Nucleus Avenue.

2) Bigfork Chamber of Commerce at Harvest Foods in Bigfork

3) Evergreen Chamber of Commerce at Super 1 in Evergreen

4) city of Whitefish at Super 1 in Whitefish

5) Lakeside Chamber of Commerce at Tamarack Brewing Co.

This competition has been going for five years. Last year the combined effort of all city contestants raised $6,571.

The money raised in the Salvation Army kettles stays in the Flathead Valley to help the most needy. The Salvation Army provides free of charge a hot breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday all year, clothing and household needs, hygiene services including shower and laundry, as well as emotional and spiritual support.

The Salvation Army manages Adopt-A-Family and Angel Trees to gather new toys for needy children.

For more information contact the Salvation Army at 257-4357, sarmy.flathead@usw.salvationarmy.org, or www.kalispell.salvationarmy.org.