NEWS

Bell-ringing dog draws dollars

When Alvin the dog rings bells, shoppers in Richmond, Ind., eagerly give to the Salvation Army.

Millicent Martin Emery
mmartin@richmond.gannett.com
Alvin rests while helping to collect money for the Salvation Army on Nov. 17, 2015, outside Kroger supermarket in Richmond. Alvin is a 5-year-old trained therapy dog who works two-hour shifts ringing the bells to attract donations.

When Alvin the dog rings bells, shoppers give.

The unique opportunity to watch a trained dog ring bells is an extra incentive for shoppers of all ages to open wallets and purses for the local Salvation Army.

Alvin and his human partners, Julia and Steve Roberts, often attract generous donors to their kettle as they volunteer. They rang bells for two hours last Tuesday at Kroger.

They will again volunteer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday outside Wal-Mart.

Many shoppers are curious about the very large but friendly and gentle animal.

Alvin is a 5-year-old trained therapy dog. He's a Leonberger, a breed of working dogs from Germany that can weigh as much as 150 to 180 pounds. They are used for water rescue, search and rescue, and carting.

It took just a few minutes for the Roberts family to train Alvin to ring the bells on the stand they made for him.

To keep ringing bells throughout a two-hour shift, Alvin welcomes a little prompting with treats that Julia brings. Some of his favorites are venison, cheese, cookies and turkey.

"People can't resist," Julia says. "That's the plan."This is Alvin's fourth year to ring bells for Salvation Army and he's still a popular attraction.

For example, in 2013, the Robertses rang bells for a total of 15 hours during the holiday season, raising more than $100 per hour.

Alvin is calm even when surrounded by groups of shoppers, but he has plenty of practice in a variety of settings. The family takes Alvin to local hospitals and rehabilitation centers, bringing joy to patients and staff. He also helps in schools with programs ranging from reading to pet care and safety and anti-bullying.

Some of Alvin's Salvation Army donors are former patients or their families who remember the big fluffy dog, and Julia and Steve appreciate hearing stories about how Alvin cheered them.

Julia said that last year, a woman stopped and put several bills in the kettle for herself and her mother each time Alvin rang bells. Alvin had visited her mother while she was hospitalized.

"She said it made her and her mother feel so much better that she wanted to repay us," Roberts said. "She always came up to put money in and hug Alvin, then she would drive by with her mother in the car (and) they would stop for her mother to pet him and Alvin would lay his head on her lap."

Alvin is so popular he even has his own page on Facebook called Alvin's Therapy Fan Club.

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How to give

The Richmond Palladium-Item is collecting toys for ages 0-12, soap pantry items and food for Salvation Army in November as part of its 12 Months of Giving campaign.

Drop off items at the Palladium-Item office at 1175 N. A St., Richmond, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays, or take them to Salvation Army at 707 S. A St. Salvation Army's office is generally open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Calling (765) 966-7791 before making a delivery at Salvation Army is encouraged.

•Items needed for the food pantry include peanut butter and jelly, cans of fruit, meat, beans, vegetables, soups, spaghetti sauce and meals (cans with pop tops are especially helpful), boxed meals (helper meals), breakfast foods and pasta.

•Urgent soap pantry needs include shampoo, toothpaste, bar soap and toilet paper. Deodorant, laundry soap, tissues, etc. are welcome.

Or, send financial gifts directly to 707 S. A St., Richmond, IN 47374. Please indicate P-I's 12 Months of Giving so we may keep track of our collective impact. Storage space is limited at Salvation Army, so financial gifts allow the pantry to order from Gleaners food bank, or buy at the local Save A Lot store as needed.

For more information, email Freda_Lafuze@usc.salvationarmy.org

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