The faint sound of ringing hand bells fills the air accompanied by the smiling faces and cheery attitudes of volunteers. It’s an all too familiar sound heard in the parking lots all around town throughout the holiday season. This nationwide act of charity is better known as the “The Red Kettle” project.

Many charities strive to collect donations to help families enjoy a better holiday season. The Salvation Army is no exception to this tradition and through the Red Kettle program is able to give underprivileged families, the elderly and the homeless the gift of food, clothing and toys.

On the first day of the job, volunteers Aisa Ledesna (16) and Karine Bendaria (16) from the “Interact” community service club both love the chance to serve and better their area. “It’s a great idea to just give back to the community,” Ledesna said. “We are really lucky to be given the opportunity to give to people who don’t have as much.”

“So far, we have gotten about ten people in the last half hour,” Bendaria said with a broad grin crossing her face. “It really shows how generous people can be.”.

According to fellow volunteer Steve Johnson, this is not out of the usual. “I can get about 100 people every day,” Johnson said. For Johnson, [volunteering] for the Red Kettle project is “like a job but it’s not actually work.”

Volunteer shifts are usually one hour but can go anywhere from four to eight hours according to Johnson.



The ringing bells serve as a brief reminder to quickly passing shoppers that this is a season of giving. However, Ledesna, Bendaria and Johnson, who are around the bells for hours, have a different take on the ringing. “I just get used to it,” Bendaria said. “It’s just something that you eventually learn to ignore.”

With temperatures at 35 degrees, volunteers wear layers of clothing to keep warm. According to Ledesna, earmuffs, boots, long gloves and the occasional cup of coffee are easy solutions to this small predicament.

Both Ledesna and Bendaria are more than enthusiastic about their newly acquired positions. “I get to see who actually does care and who wants to stop by and give,” Ledesna said. “The idea of helping out is really cool.”