Our Registry
Why Bell? ~ How to Register ~ Sharing Your Decision with Guests ~
How Do Guests Donate? ~ Will We Know How Much is Raised?
Our Wedding Bell Registry offers a simple alternative to traditional gift-giving your guests will appreciate. And you can enjoy knowing that instead of opening another toaster you don’t need or a pair of candlesticks you don’t want, valuable, important work is being done right here in your community in your name. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new life together?!
Why Bell?
We believe helping individuals and families in need helps build a stronger community for all of us.
Bell Socialization Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that began over 40 years ago as a social club for individuals being discharged from psychiatric hospitals. Since then, Bell expanded its mental health services to now include a full spectrum of innovative, recovery-oriented programs.
In 1977, community-based services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities were added, and in 1986 Bell Family Shelter and Bell Bridge Housing were opened to serve York County’s increasing number of homeless families.
While Bell does receive funding from governmental sources, there is a portion of our budget for which we rely on financial support from individuals, businesses, foundations, faith-based and civic organizations to provide quality service to the thousands of individuals who benefit from our programs every year.
That assistance is vital to our mission of providing an environment of support and empowerment where people can improve their quality of living.
How to Register
All you need to do is Contact Us and state your intention of designating Bell as a recipient of wedding donations being made in your name. With the information you provide, we’ll set up a personal page on the Wedding Bell Registry for you (see sample), provide materials to communicate your decision with your guests, and keep track of donations being made in your honor.
Sharing Your Decision with Guests
If you’d like, a specially-designed insert indicating your choice and explaining Bell’s work is available to send to family and friends along with your invitations or in an email. (see a sample) A digital version of the insert is available to you free of charge; printing and mailing is your responsibility.
How Do Our Guests Donate?
Donations are acceptable by check or major credit card and may be made in any amount. Guests can log on to www.WeddingBellRegistry.com and choose your name from the list for information and instructions on donating. You might also include a personalized Designated Donation Form (see sample) when notifying guests of your decision.
Generally, checks made payable to Bell Socialization Services may be mailed to Wedding Bell Registry, Bell Socialization Services, 160 S. George Street, York PA 17401. Credit card donations may be made online or by calling 717-848-5767, ext. 505.
[See the Wedding Bell Registry For GUESTS page.]
Each donor will be sent a note acknowledging their gift. Since Bell is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we will also include a charitable donation receipt for the donor’s tax records.
Will We Know How Much Was Raised?
A tally of donations to Bell made in celebration of your nuptials will be provided to you within three weeks following your wedding date (allowing time for post-wedding gifts).
Guest Favors
Having trouble finding reception favors that weren’t too corny or that guests wouldn’t leave on the table or throw away when they got home, Jenna and Basil chose something closer to their hearts.
“We decided to donate $1 in honor of each of our guests to our two favorite charities – one of which was Bell. Our guests were really appreciative of the gesture; a lot of them thanked us for doing something so thoughtful.”
Placecards on the table at your wedding reception are an easy and tasteful way to notify your guests that a gift to Bell has been made in their honor. We recommend using text such as the following:
As our wedding guest, a donation has been made in your honor to Bell Socialization Services. The organization provides an environment of support and empowerment where people living with mental illness, developmental disabilities or homelessness can improve their quality of living.
Attractive display items explaining the agency’s mission are also available for you to share information about Bell with guests at the reception.
The Honeymoon’s Over
(or, What are we going to do with all this stuff?)
Whether you’re registered for merchandise or charitable donations, you will probably still receive wedding gifts you don’t need or don’t suit your tastes. These items, too, can make a difference for Bell.
Through our affiliate, Auction Inn York, you can donate your unwanted items to Bell to be auctioned on eBay. Located at 405 Carlisle Avenue, York (across the street from the Fairgrounds), Auction Inn York can be your convenient one-stop gift return shop.
They take care of photographing, listing, selling and shipping the items to the winning bidders; you get to feel good that all proceeds will go directly to Bell and you can write off the donation as a charitable gift on your taxes.
(Of course, if you’d like to cash in on the sale yourself, Auction Inn York can still handle everything for you and Bell gets a portion of the sale as part of our partnership.)
For more information, stop by their storefront or call 717-718-8020.
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