Oregon Town Needs 300 Volunteers to Raise $4,800 for Homeless

Sometimes helping your community is as simple as standing outside with a bell.

The Jefferson County Faith Based Network is teaming up with the Salvation Army to put volunteer bell ringers outside three local stores this holiday season. It's their first time trying this fundraising model, and they need 300 volunteers to make it work.

Here's what makes this partnership special: 90% of every donation stays right in Jefferson County. That money goes directly to the LINC Resource Center, which helps people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.

The center doesn't just hand out emergency supplies. Advocates there help people find jobs, access education, and build paths out of tough situations.

"This brings hope to those experiencing difficulties, that for a moment with that assistance they can take a breath and make a plan," said Mandy Butler, executive assistant for the network. "When we are able to help someone with something as small as a bus pass to go to work, fresh clothing for an interview or keep the heat on while they are job searching, it can be life-changing."

The math is straightforward. The organization needs to raise $4,800 to keep their programs running. To hit that goal, they need volunteers to cover 300 two-hour shifts between November 27 and December 24.

Bell ringers will be stationed outside Safeway, Bi-Mart, and Love's stores. The season runs seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving volunteers plenty of options to find a shift that fits their schedule.

The Ripple Effect

Every volunteer shift does more than collect spare change. It keeps the heat on for a family searching for work. It provides fresh clothes for someone heading to a job interview. It offers bus fare to someone trying to get to their first day of employment.

These small assists create breathing room for people to make plans and move forward. The LINC Resource Center also provides utility assistance, clothing, hygiene supplies, and transportation help.

Anyone interested can sign up online to claim a shift. The organization is counting on their community to show up, one two-hour window at a time.

Three hundred shifts might sound like a lot, but spread across a month and shared among neighbors, it's doable.