Sparta Kiwanis cite 13 years of Christmastime bell ringing to benefit Salvation Army

Sparta —The Christmas season is a busy time of the year for the Sparta Kiwanis Club and they have announced that their 13-year total for bell ringing reached $200, 324. The traditional bell ringing activity for the benefit of the Salvation Army unit based in Dover, was once again an outstanding success. A total of $26,015.00 was collected and delivered to the Salvation Army. The formal delivery of a check was to Captain Nester Valverdi of the Salvation Army at the Jan. 4 meeting of the Sparta Kiwanis, at Francesa’s Restaurant in Sparta. Captain Valverdi stated his overall revenue goal was realized and he expressed his gratitude to the Sparta Kiwanis who were responsible for collecting a significant portion of his goal. A total of 38 Sparta Kiwanis members participated in the bell ringing along with eight guest ringers and 14 members of the Sparta High School Key Club. Special recognition is due Fred Truedinger, who has served as chairman of the Sparta Kiwanis bell ringing activity since 1999.The following list of Sparta Kiwanis members, who spent at least five two hour shifts or a minimum of ten hours ringing the bell, are to be commended: Ron Refsland (13 ), Mike Pelli (10), Frank Bennett (10), Ken Koneval (6), Jack Healey (5), Phil Giles (6), Phil Meyer (6), Roy Claus (6), Hossein Vahabzadeh (5), Frank Settineri (5), Vic Bertellotti (5), Randy Earl (6). Randy Earl spent numerous hours supporting the activity by counting, collecting, recording, and providing a central pick up and drop-off point for all of the materials required at each site on a daily basis. The management of the Sparta Stop and Shop, the Jefferson Township Pathmark and the Newton Shop Rite allowed the Sparta Kiwanis to conduct the bell ringing in front of their stores.