In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, there is one distinct sound many have come to refer to as the sound of Christmas.
That’s the ring-a-ling of The Salvation Army bell ringers who are standing outside with the iconic red kettles.
Their smiling faces greet each passerby with a merry holiday greeting and show sincere appreciation for each gift placed into the kettle. You see them at stores through the season, sometimes with Santa hats, and sometimes singing familiar Christmas carols, but who are these people?
The Salvation Army bell ringers are individuals — some from organizations — who believe in showing good will toward others. They are folks who realize the importance of helping those who are in need, of feeding the hungry and clothing the cold; they are fellow community members who work together to make a difference in the lives of strangers.
Some of these individuals are volunteers, who at other times throughout the year can be found in The Salvation Army kitchen serving 200 meals a day to hungry Monongalia County residents.
Others are members of civic clubs who believe in service to their community, and some are part-time employees who found a way to help others while making a moderate income to support their own families.
“It is no secret that The Salvation Army hires temporary help for bell ringing,” Lt. Sheldon Greenland, Morgantown’s Corps commanding officer, said. “We just do not have enough volunteer coverage to work every kettle every day. This allows us, though, to help even more families this time of year. We offer minimum wage, temporary jobs to folks who need an extra income boost. We need the help and they need the job, so it is really a win-win situation.”
The bell ringers come from all walks of life, but all have one thing in common: They believe in peace and goodwill toward all people.
For more information on how you can make an impact on your community through The Salvation Army, feel free to stop by the Corps or call 304-296-3525.
