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Panhandling Laws Won't Affect Bell Ringers in Grand Junction

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Nov 28, 2012 at 6:38 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 29, 2012 at 8:33 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Panhandling laws are stopping certain charities like the Salvation Army from raising money with bell ringing in parts of Colorado. However, in Grand Junction, it's fair game.

Bell ringers have been banned in certain parts of Colorado Springs during the holidays.

It's because of an ordinance that prohibits any kind of soliciting in specific zones.

In Grand Junction, there's no such thing, so bell ringers are allowed to stay.

Ringers are currently set up in 30 different locations in the city.

They say bell ringing helps one of their biggest fundraisers all year.

"We're very blessed to live in the county that we live in. Also, in Delta and Montrose counties, where we ring the bells, we don't have that law. We've already gotten permission through the national
headquarters or through the merchant where they allow us to ring our bells," said Claudia Jackson, director at the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army says if it wasn't for bell ringers, they would struggle to meet the community's needs.

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Happy Holidays said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 2:00 PM

Merry Christmas Anon! Merry Christmas Micah! Merry Christmas J.T! Jesus loves you! XD

Anon said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 12:44 PM

I was kidding. I just hate christians

JT said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 11:43 AM

Keep the Salvation Army, they do good things. Get rid of the street corner panhandlers. So stupid this city allows this. They can get their food, clothes and such at a shelter. The shelter just won't buy their cigarettes and booze. So the general public is shamed into it.

Micah said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 8:34 AM

Please tell me you are joking anon. If you are not, please let me know on here. If that is the truth, then I think I need to rethink my position on them. They should as a "Christian" organization be following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and he said top priority is to love and care for your fellow man. Plain and simple, with no special qualifiers. Friend or enemy, love your fellow man. Please do not look down on all "Christians" for the actions of those that do not actually follow the teachings of Christ. The Christ I know and love would rather spend time with the gay, lesbians, and transgender people than with most of the "Christians" I have met in my life. Then again, almost all of the gay, lesbian, and transgender people I have had the pleasure of meeting in this town are a better class of people and more "Christ" like most of the "Christians" I have met.

Anon said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 6:14 AM

Only if the the community isn't gay, lesbian, or transgender. Apparently, the Salvation Army doesn't help everyone in our community.

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