The Clearwater Lions will be helping the disadvantaged have a better holiday season.

 

At their meeting Tuesday evening, the Lions decided as a group to do some bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Coborn’s in Clearwater next week.

 

Lions’ president Pete Edmonson said not all the club members have been notified yet, but he thinks there should be about 20 members sharing the duties throughout the day on Friday, Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

 

“It could be Lions members plus neighbors, plus kids and grandkids,” says Edmonson.

 

Each year, the Salvation Army looks for volunteers to ring the bell at Coborn’s and the Travel Plaza in Clearwater. On a typical day, a manned Salvation Army kettle can collect $30 or more.

 

 The Salvation Army uses the funds it collects to provides basic needs, housing, youth services, rehabilitation, and counseling and spiritual care to people in the community. The Salvation Army is also often the first to arrive and the last to leave during times of disaster or crisis.

 

The Clearwater Lions have not only agreed to ring the bell and collect donations. They’ve also decided to match any donations they collect that day - up to $1,000. So donations on that Friday will go twice as far.

 

The club will write a matching check to the Salvation Army at its next meeting.

 

“Hopefully, it becomes a tradition for the club,” says Edmonson.