Bell ringing without Bonnie

At the front door at Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods, Savanah Pierson was ringing the bell next to the Salvation Army red kettle Saturday afternoon.

Next to her was Arjan Pokhard. He handed out candy canes to the young people who made donations.

To many passers-by, it seemed a little sad.

For 33 years, Bonnie Bennett was at that location, ringing the bells and chatting with people who walked by.

Bonnie died in October, leaving at big gap for the Salvation Army.

Havre High School's Key Club has stepped forward and taken up some of the spots Bonnie has filled over the last three decades.

That's how Savanah got involved. She's a Key Club member. Arjan isn't a Key Club member, but laughed and said his civics teacher, John Ita, who is also the Key Club adviser, talked him into helping out.

Savanah said she found it "pretty cool" to be filling the same seat that Bonnie Bennett sat in for so many years.

"We can learn so much from Bonnie's willingness to volunteer," said the Salvation Army in a press release.

"We are asking the community to step up and take Bonnie's place at the kettle," the Salvation Army said.

The money raised at Gary & Leo's Door 1 will be made in memory of Bonnie, the Salvation Army said.

Trina Crawford, executive director of the Salvation Army's Havre Service Center, said the group has been pretty fortunate in finding replacements, but they could always use more help.

People who want to sign up for volunteer bell-ringing shifts can:

• Volunteer by going to http://www.volunteer.usawest.org and place the Havre zip code in the appropriate box.

• Contact the Salvation at 265-6411

• Like the Salvation Army on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSalvation Army.HavreMT .