Charity's bell ringers prompt generosity in shoppers

The holiday season is a time when others try to give to those who are less fortunate, so as they can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.

For years, the Salvation Army has done just that. It has done so not only with its many stores and locations, but also with its annual holiday bell ringers.

The bell ringers have been seen everywhere, wearing either a Santa Claus costume or a Salvation Army vest. They ring their bell all day, spreading cheer to busy holiday shoppers whose donations to the Salvation Army support the many different causes of the organization.

Most bell ringers aren't seen in costumes until late December, about a week or two before Christmas.

Captain Robert Birks of the Salvation Army Seattle Temple is in charge of all volunteer activity.

"We have volunteers all over Seattle," said Birks. "Most are stationed at QFCs, Safeways and Bartell Drugstores."

Each year, the Salvation Army attracts a larger numbers of volunteers. With their support, the organization can better support its different sub-divisions, such as counseling centers and churches.

"I really enjoy seeing the bell ringers every year," said Julia Szilard, a freshman majoring in biology at the UW. "They're usually really nice and cheery, and I just don't know what the holidays would be like without them."

The job of a volunteer bell ringer is a lot harder than people may think. They have to interact with people and have a good attitude towards everyone. Bell ringers must also stand for hours at a time while remaining cheerful.

"I remember it was not too long ago when I was down at the mall and I saw one of those bell ringers," said freshman Joan Bleeker, a biochemistry major. "I didn't think he was very nice at all because he was just standing there, ringing the bell and not saying anything. Although it was near closing time, so he must have been pretty tired of having to stand there all day. But I knew he was there for a good cause so I didn't let it bother me."

Although Seattle volunteer rates are relatively high, they have been getting lower and lower in another parts of the United States.

Due to the lack of volunteers, Salvation Armies have begun using cardboard bell ringer cutouts with motion detectors to collect donations.

To become a bell ringer, one should visit a local Salvation Army and ask if any volunteers are needed. Potential volunteers fill out an application and should be prepared to make a sizable time commitment. In addition to being a bell ringer, the Salvation Army has many volunteer opportunities open to anyone willing to lend a helping hand.

In previous years, most of the money collected by bell ringers came from volunteers stationed outside Target stores. Target has been the location where the Salvation Army has raised more than 10 percent of its total donations.

Due to a policy enforcement, Target has now banned Salvation Army bell ringers from its storefronts.