My name is [YOUR NAME], and I am the [YOUR TITLE AND INFORMATION]. As you may know, The Salvation Army funds local afterschool programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, and feeding and other programs through their bell ringing campaigns through the holiday season. Due to the amount of bell ringing kettles, it is difficult to get enough volunteers to ring at the most beneficial times and locations.

Last year, we piloted a project with Eisenhower High School where the National Honor Society students took ownership of finding volunteers for a kettle in their area for the time slots of 4-8pm Monday through Saturday for the bell ringing season, which is generally from Black Friday to Christmas Eve. Each student would ring for two hours in pairs to assure no one rang alone.

This resulted in an increase in funds raised during the Red Kettle season, funds that went directly back to the school’s community, which supported local families in need.

In return, all students who rang were given volunteer credit for the bell ringing hours as credit toward their NHS volunteer requirement.

I was hoping your National Honor Society students would be willing to do the same for the kettle at the [KETTLE LOCATION NAME AND ADDRESS].

The project is simple, the National Honor Society president rallies the troops and gets as many students as possible to sign up for two-hour shifts from 4-8 pm. The National Honor Society Student President takes ownership of the sign-up process and sets up a group in RegisterToRing.com. The students show up to ring and the kettle will be there. Kettles are locked so the students do not have to deal with the money, and The Salvation Army takes care of the rest.

I will follow up with you in an email and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Thank you.

Email Script

Good morning [CONTACT NAME],

As a follow up to my voice mail, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am the [YOUR TITLE AND INFORMATION]. I understand you are the National Honor Society advisor, and I would love to talk to you about a program we started with the National Honor Society Students at Eisenhower High School.

We started a project with Utica Eisenhower High School National Honor Society students a few years ago that has been very successful and rewarding for both the NHS students and the Salvation Army.

As you may know, the Salvation Army funds a lot of their after-school, substance abuse, human trafficking, veterans, feeding and other programs through their bell ringing campaigns through the holiday season. Due to the amount of bell ringing kettles, it is difficult to get enough volunteers to ring at the most beneficial times.

At Eisenhower High School, the National Honor Society students took ownership of finding volunteers for a kettle in their area for the time slots of 4-8pm Monday through Saturday for the bell ringing season, which is mainly from Black Friday to Christmas Eve. Each student would ring for two hours in pairs to assure no one rang alone.

In return, all students who rang were given credit for the bell ringing hours as credit toward their NHS volunteer requirement.

I was hoping your NHS students would be willing to do the same for the kettle at the [KETTLE LOCATION NAME AND ADDRESS].

The project is simple, the NHS president rallies the troops and gets as many students as possible to sign up for two-hour shifts from 4-8 pm. The NHS Student President takes ownership of the sign-up process. Then the students show up. The kettles will be there, and they are locked so the students do not have to deal with the money, and the Salvation Army takes care of the rest.

I’d be happy to share more details with you if you would be willing to participate.

We are asking many of the schools in your area to participate. There is nothing better than smiling faces helping their communities. Thank you for your consideration,

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Engaging Stores

Letter to local business asking for permission to ring at a new location: (not a chain, not a corporate partner – but a small local business).

Dear ______:

Have you ever thought what it would be like to be homeless, to watch your child sleep knowing that they went to bed hungry…again, or to know that your family has no winter coats to protect them from the cold Michigan winters?  These are just a few of the needs The Salvation Army addresses 365 days a year. 

We are in the process of planning our 2023 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign and are looking to partner with you to help meet the rising numbers of those we serve.

During this economic crisis, the demand for services is overwhelming. The Salvation Army is committed to meeting the increased need in our communities.  We offer various feeding programs, rehabilitation centers, outreach ministries, disaster services and programs for adults, the elderly, and children of all ages.

With your company’s assistance, we will continue the valuable support and programming The Salvation Army is known for.  Getting involved in this campaign is as easy as committing your store locations to having a kettle and bell ringer for the ringing season. 

(STORE) is the perfect setting for our friendly, seasoned bell ringers to reach out to people in your community.  Our Red Kettle Christmas campaign begins November 10, and ends December 24, 2023, with bell ringers out Monday – Saturday.  Please join The Salvation Army in serving our community, by becoming a partner during this giving time of year.

Should you have any questions, or wish to speak to me directly, I have included my business card for your convenience.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you.   

Blessings,

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