BATH TWP.: For 54 years, the Bath area has benefited from the volunteer service activities and financial support from members of the Bath Volunteers for Service (BVS).
One of the organization’s volunteer activities during the holiday season is the BVS members’ participation in the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Fundraiser.
For a full day during that drive, BVS members ring the bell and solicit donations for the Salvation Army, traditionally generating “full kettles” of more than $1,000 for at least the past seven years. This year was no different.
BVS volunteers, both active and past-service members, were stationed at the kettle Dec. 13 in the lobby at the Montrose Acme store. Their efforts, including the request for BVS members’ donations, raised $1,811.06, according to the BVS Bellringers Committee co-chair Marilyn Woodling.
“I am blown away by the generosity of our members,” said Woodling, in an e-mail message to the members. “We exceeded our goal, and Mike Simpkins, of the Salvation Army, reported that this was the largest one-day collection to date.”
"We are proud to say that for 54 years Bath Volunteers for Service has carried out a system of volunteer service for the greatest benefit in bettering community living for adults and children,” said current BVS President MaryAnn Heed. “The generosity of our members and the community with their donations demonstrates that spirit of giving."
The community activities and support of BVS include assisting the Bath Fire Department in ticket sales to the annual Bath Horse Show, hosting the annual Bath Home Tour, organizing Red Cross blood drives twice yearly and gifting graduating high school seniors with scholarship and merit awards.
Funds raised by BVS, primarily through the Bath Home Tour, generate civic contributions and community allocations annually to organizations such as the Bath Township Museum, Revere Local Schools, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Victory Gallop, Akron Children’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Hunger Center and Young Graduates Inc., among others.
For information about BVS, check out the website at www.bathvolunteersforservice.com.
