Volunteer Story: Tim Kubek
Tim Kubek raises money for the Petoskey Corps, by ringing bells and playing Santa to increase our connection to the community. When it is not the holiday season, he is the first voice a client hears as our receptionist and he regularly helps with transportation at our weekly Community Dinners. He touches many lives through providing money and support to our programs that help people of all ages such as Emergency Financial Assistance, After School, Community Dinners and more.
Tim has been our top producing bell ringer for the past 3 years. He rings 6 days a week throughout the season. He never misses a day no matter how brutal the ice and snow are; even when he was under the weather. As a result, he brought in over $13,000.00 during the 2016 Red Kettle season. People in the community really connect to him and actually go out of their way to stop and see him at his ringing location. His jolly disposition makes him the ideal Santa and the kids love him. Last year was our first “Dinner with Santa” and even though the winter weather was terrible, our community dinner was packed.
After retiring from painting and recovering from alcoholism, Tim realized the importance and power of having Jesus in his life to guide and strengthen him. After a few years he felt compelled to give back to others and to The Salvation Army, an organization close to his heart as we had helped him when he needed it most. In the beginning, he stuck to ringing bells for us; however, as time went by, he began helping more and more with transportation and special events. He drives our After School Program kids and staff on special outings and also delivers and set up event supplies and grills at our community Watermelon Parties.
Recently we added Recovery Support Dinners to our services in which local recovery center participants come for a meal and a meeting. We have both AA and NA meetings and Tim is now leading the AA meetings and helping others towards recovery and the power of healing through the Holy Spirit. We believe that he was sent to us to help others heal by serving them in the name of Jesus Christ. We are very proud to have Tim on our team; he is a blessing to us and everyone in our community.