By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Another sound of the season rings in Raton as the twinkling of coins and the ringing of the bell next to the red kettle greets shoppers around town. But did you now what happens to those coins once they find the red kettle?
A small loose knit group has been ringing the bell for over five years and during those five years they have helped about 10 families each year in Raton to meet their utility bills. Annually this group has collected a little over $1200 a year.
The Salvation Army in Raton has now become a Community Extension Unit and they are looking for volunteers to create a board to oversee the operations and to become more involved in the community, they are looking to grow noted Rev Adrianne Coleman.
According to Coleman the group is seeking volunteers from the community to staff the board and for bell ringers. As an organized unit the group will have access to about $50,000 of disaster relief monies that could be sought to help out Raton in a time of need. They will also have access to ready to eat meals from the Albuquerque Salvation Army warehouse should the need arise.
Coleman noted the local organization is not affiliated with any religion or church in town, it was however organized by several Methodist women and Sue Smith is the local coordinator. Smith is responsible for doing the paperwork that is needed to get help to local residents. Coleman also noted that all the money the bell ringers collect stays here in Raton to help Raton families. Since the group is as small as it is only about three percent of the funds have been used for administration costs. As their one motto goes “Soup, Soap and Souls” Coleman noted that the Salvation Army is here to help in more ways than one.
If you would like to help contact Rev Adrianne Coleman at 575-445-3262
And for more information on the Salvation Army itself http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
