Salvation Army bell rings now out and about around Berrien, Van Buren counties

The Salvation Army in Benton Harbor has begun its annual bell ringing campaign, raising money for its shelter and food bank.

Benton Harbor Corps Officer and Lieutenant Mario Bledsoe tells us they’ve stationed bell ringers at five locations around west Berrien County and Van Buren County. They are the Harding’s stores in St. Joseph, Hartford, and Coloma, as well as the Hobby Lobby in Benton Harbor and the Family Fare in Paw Paw.

Bledsoe says once Thanksgiving arrives, they’ll send out more bell ringers, and they need volunteers.

“W e have a few bell ringers that are paid. The rest are volunteers anywhere from w est Berrien and Van Buren County who wants to help in that way,” Bledsoe said. “ With the snow coming down an