Christmas bells are ringing

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding.

The ringing bells of Salvation Army volunteers have become a familiar sound of the holiday season.

For more than a decade, Ross Hall, of rural Hughesville, has been one of those volunteers.

Hall stood outside Woods Supermarket on Wednesday, where he manned a kettle. It was the fourth time this season he rang the bell for the annual fundraiser.

Salvation Army Capt. Joe Irvine said the kettle campaign has raised $30,000 out of a hoped-for $50,000, with 12 ringing days left until Christmas. The campaign could be extended until New Year’s, he said.

Volunteers — some individuals like Hall, some families and some employee and civic groups — will ring at the seven Sedalia locations until Christmas.

“I enjoy it. I enjoy meeting and seeing people and I enjoy the reason for this activity, the Christmas season,” Hall said.

Hall volunteered for the first time through his then-employer, Broderick and Bascom Rope Co.

That was 12 to 15 years ago. “I’ve been ringing ever since,” he said.

He said he keeps coming back because “There’s a great need for the Salvation Army and other organizations that help the needy.”

The Salvation Army also seeks to raise money through its direct-mail campaign. The campaign has raised about $10,000 of its goal of $30,000 so far.

“This is the same goal as last year, so we didn’t increase it, though we increased our programs this year,” he said of the combined $80,000 goal for the two holiday fundraisers.

Irvine said there are still time slots available for bell ringing volunteers at the seven Sedalia locations.

“A lot of families enjoy it as their family Christmas tradition, go out for an hour or two. Kids love it, especially,” he said.

Many of the organization’s bell-ringing volunteers have fun with it, he said.

“We’ve had Elvis, we’ve had kids and their parents, we’ve had singing groups,” Irvine said.

Donations were pretty steady during Hall’s stint behind the bell Wednesday, but he could not guess how much.

“I don’t take a look at what people put in there so I don’t know. I’ve gotten a good percentage of people; if they don’t donate on the way in, they make a special point to on the way out,” he said.

To volunteer to ring bells or to sponsor a child or family through the organization’s Christmas assistance program, call the Salvation Army at 826-1525.

People can also donate to the organization through its Web site, www.pettissalvationarmy.org or through the “virtual kettle” at www.ksisradio.com.