Bell-ringers: The next generation?

Kiwanis Club President Armando Linde reports this story from a recent bell-ringing shift that makes us optimistic the tradition of bell-ringing outside Longboat Key Publix will live on in future generations.

A young boy, about 7 or 8, dashed out from a vehicle with a $5 bill for the kettle. He said: “You do great work. Merry Christmas!” We suspect the Kiwanis Club might recruit him someday for his own bell-ringing shift.

Glenda Leonard, development director at the Salvation Army, will speak to the Kiwanis Club at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 18, at the Longboat Key Club Tavern & Whiskey Bar.