Salvation Army bell ringers, who for decades have stood outside stores during the Christmas season collecting donations for those in need, are in short supply this year, said Larry Hostetler, director of the Salvation Army of Jefferson County.
He said there is an urgent need for bell ringers all around the county for the organization’s annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign.
Hostetler said the Salvation Army has had trouble soliciting enough bell ringers ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Because of COVID, we lost track of many of our bell ringers and groups who would volunteer,” he said. “We’re looking for first-time bell ringers and bell ringers from previous years.
“Before COVID, we had people who would do the bell ringing daily throughout the Christmas season. We don’t have anyone doing it daily anymore. We’re glad to be back to our normal operations with bell ringers, but we are in need of more.”
Hostetler said he appreciates anyone who can volunteer some time to ring a bell and contribute to the cause.
The organization offers assistance for the homeless and food for those in need. It also assists those who need some help paying for rent and utilities, and it offers youth programs, church services and other activities for those in need, according to the Salvation Army of Jefferson County’s Facebook page.
Hostetler said bell ringing sessions typically are divided into two-hour blocks, so people need to “donate a minimum of two hours.”
Bell ringers are needed through Dec. 23, and people may contact the organization up until that day and be given a slot to collect donations on behalf of the Salvation Army somewhere in the county, Hostetler said.
He said people often participate in the bell ringing as part of a family or fraternal activity.
One such volunteer is Judy Smith, who’s president of the Arnold Rotary Club this year.
She said the club has close links to the Salvation Army of Jefferson County, which is based in Arnold, and for years the Rotary Club has recruited members to ring bells and collect donations during the holiday season.
“I’ve probably been a bell ringer for about 15 years,” said Smith, 64, of Fenton. “I got involved as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army through my husband, Steve, who’s also been in Rotary.
“There are Arnold Rotarians who are on the board of the Salvation Army of Jefferson County. It’s become an annual event where Arnold Rotarians will ring at the Schnucks on Vogel Road (in Arnold). We’ll have a day where we’ll fill the slots all day and evening.”
Judy Smith said she is taking more shifts than normal this season.
“Up until this year I did one Saturday session each year,” she said. “This year is different only because my husband and I are organizing the bell ringers for Jefferson County.”
She noted that volunteers are needed to collect at several locations around the county.
“(The Salvation Army) is slotted to ring at the Hobby Lobby in Arnold, the Arnold Walmart and the Schnucks on Vogel Road,” Smith said. “We are also ringing in Festus, House Springs and De Soto, all Walmarts. There may be other stores involved.”
Smith said bell ringing is a gratifying experience.
“People are friendly,” she said. “I’m a retired schoolteacher from the Fox School District and I keep seeing people I know, as well as my former students and their parents and grandparents. I also taught for UMSL (University of Missouri-St. Louis) and Missouri Baptist College, and students I’ve had in class will come through.”
She said that while the red kettles normally are in place when a volunteer arrives at a location, she once found herself trying to collect donations for the Salvation Army without one.
“Normally, you show up and it’s all set up, but we showed up and there was no kettle,” she recalled. “We started ringing. People were startled to see no kettle, but we told them we were collecting for the Salvation Army and if they’d trust us, we’d put the donation in the kettle when it got there. My pockets were full when the kettle got there with what people were giving.”
Smith said only extreme weather conditions keep volunteers from fulfilling their shifts.
“Cold doesn’t stop us,” she said. “We’ve been out there when it’s snowing. But, if it’s really raining, people won’t stop to give.”
She said she enjoys seeing people display their Christmas spirit.
“People will put in a $10 bill,” Smith said. “The best I’ve seen is a $100 bill. A lot of times, people will take a picture of their kids with the kettle. I do look forward to this. Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ just gives people a lift.”
Smith said she is aware of what the Red Kettle campaign means for the organization.
“This is the most important fundraiser for the Salvation Army,” she said. “And, everything collected in Jefferson County stays in Jefferson County.”
The Smiths have seen how the Salvation Army can help people.
“(One of our friends) was an alcoholic who many years ago attended their program and was turned around,” she said.
Hostetler said he values Smith’s contributions to the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign.
“She’s not only a good bell ringer and very friendly, but she’s good at recruiting other bell ringers,” he said.
To register to ring or for more information, visit registertoring.com or call 636-253-3449.
“I hope people will sign up to help their community,” Smith said. “I think seeing a smiling face brightens a person’s day.”