Members of the Rotary Club of Murrieta lent their hands to the Salvation Army by ringing the bells and tending the red buckets at Murrieta’s Walmart and Sam’s Club on Saturday, December 11.

The daylong effort plus a demonstration of the new red bucket signs (which take credit card payments now) netted the Salvation Army over $1,700 in donations.  The demonstration was conducted by Major Timothy Carr at the Club’s December 6 meeting.

Murrieta Rotary’s bell ringing for the Salvation Army’s fund-raising effort is a long-standing holiday tradition, and the club typically outraises other clubs in Southwest Riverside County.  The bell ringing allows Murrieta Rotary members to interact with other members outside regular meeting.  Some dress up and bring their dogs to increase the holiday spirit and fellowship.

In another holiday tradition, Murrieta Rotary purchased 20 Target gift cards for foster youth in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, allowing them to purchase gifts for their foster families during the holidays.

The bell ringing and the foster gift cards were organized by Club Founding Member and Past President Jim Yanoschik, who serves as Community Services Director.