Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family

Charitability runs in Sue Wertman's family. Her parents set the example, and she and her twin sister, Ann Quackenbush, have run with that spirit.

She spent last Wednesday afternoon ringing the iconic melodic bell of The Salvation Army outside the Publix on Longboat Key. In fact, she is the longest-serving bellringer at the spot. After her shift, she dashed off to Our Daily Bread of Bradenton to help out at the food pantry that same day.

"What else am I going to do? Sit by the pool all day?" she asked. "Although I do enjoy doing that for an hour or so and reading, if it's nice out."

Since 2013, Wertman has served as a bell ringer through the coordination of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.

Joining her that afternoon was Carol Erker, who noted that the Rotary Club of Longboat Key has also been involved since it was chartered in 2014.

Plenty of shoppers have seen Wertman's smiling face outside the exit of the busy grocery store. Efforts by Wertman and fellow ringers have gone a long way.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Longtime Kiwanian Chris Sachs said this spot is the highest-earning bell ringing location in Sarasota County. He estimated last year's total from that location alone to be about $32,000. After the final day of ringing on Dec. 24, they will get to counting this year's total, and Wertman and Erker were optimistic the Longboat group would do well again, given shoppers' generosity up to that point.

The volunteers do get an extra boost from an anonymous local donor who matches every $20 donation in the pot. They also accept digital donations through a QR code.

As of last year, the club had 75 volunteers from Christ Church of Longboat Key covering 68 total shifts outside the store, she said.

"The first year I joined, we had about 17 volunteers," she noted.

Sachs said he is grateful to Wertman and fellow volunteers from the church who have helped keep the program going.

Wertman said she has always had a passion for giving back, which she primarily does through the church. She also puts considerable effort into aiding her sister coordinate the Hope Seeds monthly packing events.

Photo by Dana Kampa

The pair hails from Buffalo, New York.

"Go Buffalo Bills," she said with a chuckle.

Wertman said she has always made volunteering a habit, starting with United Way in her 20s.

"I worked with my family's construction company, so I would go out with my hard hat and ask for money to contribute," she said. "My parents were always involved in giving back. They never forced us to, but they set the example."

That mind for finance carried through to her career as she worked in payroll and accounting at the company.

She moved to Longboat Key in about 2001 with her husband as "snowbirds."

"After he died, I talked my sister into retiring here, so now we live together," she said, adding that she was lucky to find such companionship with her twin as adults.

Wertman also lends her support to her church's Reading Buddies program, a youth outreach group that encourages fun reading habits for elementary school students.

"They keep me busy," she said.

She said she is happy to stay busy in such a friendly community.

"Everyone is so giving of what they are blessed to have," she said.