Another Red Kettle Campaign is in the books and once again, our Rotary Club really stepped up to the plate! This was especially true on December 19, the last Saturday we rang. On that day, our kettle was graced with gifts totaling $3,679.33 in gifts! WOW! That is a fantastic total.
Of course, this would not have happened without the Rotarians, their family and friends who volunteered to ring the bells. Therefore, as your self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings, I would like to dole out some Ring Lauds to those who gave their time to ring the bells.
First, Ring Lauds to the volunteers who manned the Red Kettle for one two-hour shift - Patricia Aldis, Lauren Anderson, Gibbs Baihly*, Elaine Case, Dave Dripps, Sue Dripps, Caleb Haak, Joel Haak, Steven Hagedorn, Elizabeth Karsell, Kay Karsell, Emily Neville, Catherine Patel, Mikala Schmidt and Steve Sperling.
Next, our Double Dinger Lauds go to - Colin Aldis, Arthur Baihly, Chris Colby, Kelly Engler, Dana Funk, Jan Hagedorn, Barb and Paul Tieskotter, Bill Wiktor and John Woodruff who each rang twice.
Five people qualified for Triple Ripple Lauds by virtue of manning the Red Kettle three times - Caroline Baihly, Josef Chlachula, Sara Gilleland, Phil Karsell and Ashok Patel.
I'm pleased to announce that Mark Dripps earned the Fantastic Four Laud by taking a bell-ringing shift four of the six weeks.
Finally, but not surprisingly to veteran Rotary Ringers, the Five Gold Rings Laud goes to my mentor, the Chair Emeritus of Bell Ringing, Fred Suhler! Fred volunteered to ring on the late shift five out of six weeks. Thanks Fred!
CAVEAT: It is likely that I have missed someone because that is the nature of lists. If so, just let me know and I will offer my public thanks for your service at a future date.
*Gibbs Baihly is Caroline and Art Baihley's beautiful dog who warmed the hearts of many HyVee shoppers and influenced them to feed the Red Kettle. A picture of Gibbs in action is included below.
Thanks to everyone for providing Service Above Self!
Mark Neville
Chair, 2020 Rotary Bell Ringing Committee