Ringing the bells of charity for 44 years

t’s one of the most iconic sights and sounds of the season. The red apron, the rhythmically swinging arm and that bell ringing constantly, reminding people to give to those less fortunate.

Fortunately for the Ozaukee County Unit of the Salvation Army, Mark Schowalter has been a consistent volunteer since 1981. He got involved through Port Washington State Bank, the institution that Schowalter’s family founded in 1899 and is going strong 125 years later both in the banking business and its long-standing culture of volunteering.

“Salvation Army needed a point of contact where clients could meet and get help. My predecessor at the bank had gone out on a leave, so I stepped in and here I am 44 years later,” Schowalter said.

Schowalter retired from the bank in 2019, but his spirit of giving back didn’t.

He is the unit chairman and has been the Red Kettle coordinator the past seven years and loves it.

“It is one of the best things I have done to this point. Big Brothers and Sisters is also a cause close to my heart,” Schowalter said. “I am still involved with the bank as a director and continue to be proud of the volunteer ethic they still promote with all our employees in our communities.”

Despite Ozaukee County being among the most affluent in the country, the Salvation Army has plenty of people in need to serve. Money from the red kettles mostly goes for local rent and utility costs, along with other needs.

“You don’t always see it, but there is a great need in the county for financial help, which all the nonprofits in the county take a part in filling,” Schowalter said.

It’s his job to fill the spots that fill the red buckets. Surprisingly, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. “Finding Bell ringers has not been a problem for the most part” Schowalster said. “We rely on service clubs, 4-H, students needing service hours, scouts, schools, church groups, non-profits and individuals.”

“We are getting some younger volunteers ringing, which is great. Along with them are our standbys every year who only say ‘Yes, how can we help?’ We couldn’t have a successful campaign without them.”

Schowalter’s team of volunteers ring at Walmart, Fox Bros. and Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly stores and Pick ’n Save in Grafton. “We look for locations with good customer traffic and we couldn’t have a successful campaign without them,” Schowalter said.

The bells begin ringing well before Thanksgiving, the second weekend of November, and they continue through Christmas Eve, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays. Shifts run two hours each for eight to 10 hours straight.

The campaign is vital for the Salvation Army’s Ozaukee County Unit.

“In the county, this is our primary and biggest fundraiser,” Schowalter said.

Donations are down a bit this year, he said, but more than $250,000 has been collected in the past five years, “so it’s been impactful.”

The Salvation Army ends up competing for charity dollars with other causes during the Christmas season. “There are a lot of groups looking for help this time of year, but we have held our own,” Schowalter said. “People are just generous if it’s a cause they believe in. The Salvation Army is a well-respected charity, and I think donors appreciate how funds are used and how much of their donation goes directly to those in need.”

Schowalter loves to hear how the campaign and organization has helped people, as well as to chat with donors.

“Seeing a line at the kettle is a great thing,” he said. “People will stop and tell a story of how the Salvation Army once helped someone in their family. I’ve received a few Bibles over the years and have been asked to say a prayer with donors.”

That’s why Schowalter braves any kind of weather to ring the bell.

“If you are outside, it’s all about bundling up and staying out of the wind,” he said.

When it comes to convincing shoppers, “Eye contact and a friendly greeting for all is important, and of course a thank you. “Groups add their own personal touch to ringing with music and holiday costumes. I would say one in five that pass by put something in the kettle.”

The organization has updated its giving to go beyond cash. Apple Pay and Google Pay are offered, as well as a QR code to link to the Salvation Army’s website.

Giving back is part of Schowalter’s family. His wife Cathy volunteers at the  St. Vincent De Paul Society. Children, yard work, dogs, golf and fishing soak up the rest of the couple’s time, which passes quickly. Schowalter can barely believe he’s been with the Salvation Army for nearly half a century.

“Forty-four years do go by fast. Seeing the end result keeps you going,” he said. “The last seven years running the Kettle Campaign has been more rewarding because of the generosity you see firsthand while ringing and knowing everything the volunteers put into helping us with our campaign.”

He even has a suggestion on how to expand the campaign.

“When ringing in freezing temperatures, I often think of the concept of ‘Christmas in July,’ which the Hallmark people are fond of promoting,” Schowalter said. “Not a bad idea.”

Those interested in being a bell ringer or volunteering in another way for the Salvation Army’s Ozaukee County Unit may email Schowalter at mdspw@powercom.net.