Bell Ringer Elmer Schefers Strikes Again

Elmer Schefers is at it again. For the fifth straight Christmas season, he will bell ring insane amounts of hours, donate thousands of dollars of his own money, and urge others to join in contributing to The Salvation Army.

This year the 67-year-old State Farm Insurance agent will bell ring for 50-plus hours Dec. 11 – 23 at the Plymouth Cub Foods stores located at 2445 Nathan Lane and 3550 Vicksburg Lane N.

Schefers is hoping to provide $20,000 in matching funds at these locations. He’s already donated $12,500 of his own money toward the goal, and is waiting for the remaining balance ($7,500) to come from 1,250 of his friends, family, coworkers and clients to whom he sent letters requesting donations. (They raised $7,735 last year.)          
    
Schefers has ramped up his efforts for the 2008 Christmas season by donating $2,500 more of his own money, and by bell ringing extra hours.

“I’m bell ringing three more days this year – I signed up when it was warm outside and must have got a little overzealous,” he said with a chuckle.

Schefers has also set up an Online Red Kettle. From now until Dec. 23, donations made to this kettle will be doubled.

Last Christmas season Schefers raised nearly $40,000.

“The Salvation Army cannot thank Elmer Schefers enough for his annual fund-raising campaign,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “Because of Elmer, countless people in need now have food, shelter, clothing and love.”