An organization in Greene County is having a special fundraiser next week to help more less fortunate individuals.

Salvation Army of Greene County Representative Pastor Dan Cunningham says they are hosting a “Christmas in July” event with the iconic Red Kettle Bells in full force Monday through Friday from 8-10am and 6-8pm at Jefferson Hy-Vee and Fareway. 

Cunningham points out this leads up to the special Saturday event from 2-4pm at The Gardens Assisted Living where there is an ice cream social, along with musical entertainment from Second Chair Brass of Ames. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio this fundraiser came about after he found out The Gardens has a special “Christmas in July” program that is done with the tenants, and The Gardens Executive Director Tara Quirk was pleased to partner for the effort.

“Dan does a lot of volunteering in our building on a monthly basis and he had a conversation with us and wondered if we would host. And we found it (to be) a great opportunity to bring the community together for a good cause.”   

Salvation Army of Greene County Representative Bill Monroe says 90 percent of the donations they receive stay in the county and the other ten percent goes to the national organization to assist with natural disaster relief. He explains that the local funds are used to help individuals with short-term crises. Cunningham emphasizes that the close to $6,000 that was raised this past holiday season has already been spent.

“This year, by May 24th I’d helped 30 households and again we had run through the entire fund, so the money disappears in a hurry. Our option is to try to stretch that money to last the entire year or to try to meet the needs as they come in. And from my perspective when you have somebody bringing in a disconnect notice for water or for their electric, you got to meet that need and get them over that hump right away.”   

Along with the bell ringing fundraisers throughout the week, the red kettles will also be at the Christmas in July public event at The Gardens from 2-4pm, which is also a free will donation. Monroe adds that monetary donations are accepted throughout the year at Home State Bank.