By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
The sounds of holiday bells sounded in the air outside of the Mesquite Ace Hardware on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 27. It was a customary scene of a volunteer bell ringer in the annual holiday fundraiser for the Salvation Army of Mesquite.
But this bell ringer was different than most. She was a child. Addie Medina, 9, was dressed in festive holiday colors all topped with a beautiful headband decked with Christmas tree and ornaments. Addie was smiling and ringing that bell with all her might.
She was backed up in her volunteer efforts by her grandmother, Rita Vega who stood right alongside her..
“We decided that we wanted to volunteer here together,” explained Vega. “I want to building memories for her of us doing service together and giving back to the community. And this is a great way to do that.”
A second glance at Addie revealed that she was shivering just a bit in the cold. The weather was beautiful and warm in the sun. But Addie had spent all of her volunteer shift in the shade of the north-facing Ace Hardware entrance and she was feeling a bit chilly.
“We weren’t expecting it to be so cool out here in the shade,” Vega said. “We would have dressed a little more warmly.”
Vega said that Addie had received a little help from the Salvation Army in the past, getting a few supplies for school and other items.
“They have blessed her life and she just wanted to give back a little,” Vega said.
Even though she was a little cold in the shade, Addie enjoyed her time with her grandmother. She reported that people passing by had been generous in making donations during her shift.
“It has been a lot of fun!” she said. “I like to meet new people and make them smile by ringing the bell.”
For more information about becoming a volunteer bell-ringer call the Salvation Army of Mesquite at 702-345-5116, or stop by the office at 742 Pioneer Blvd, Suite D.
