Halloween may be over but the holiday season is just starting. In Lycoming County bell ringers for the Salvation Army are out in force. This season the charity is looking to beat the odds and raise money for families who need it.
It's a familiar sound of the holiday season inside the Lycoming Mall near Muncy. Volunteers man the donation kettles every year, ringing in a season of giving and hoping to help others.
"More than a thousand have come to us already saying they need help for Christmas. That means we need to raise money to help them," said Major Steven Stoops of the Salvation Army.
It's no secret to him that all over the area people have fallen on hard times. Major Stoops believes 2009 will be a tough year for donations.
"When it's a tough year for us, that means it's a tough year for our donors as well and we're asking them to do more than we've asked them in the past," Major Stoops added.
That's why people like Sandy Henry spend their day asking shoppers to contribute to the cause. She rings her bell in front of the WalMart in Montoursville and every so often someone comes along and makes it all worth it.
"I love doing it, so help out the Salvation Army and help kids for Christmas," Henry said.
The Salvation Army wants to raise $100,000 this season just through the work at the donation kettles and the ringing of the bells.
"That's a lot of money and we're asking a lot from people but it's needed money to make sure everyone gets fed and everyone gets a toy here in Lycoming County," said Major Stoops.
The Salvation Army is asking anyone who wants to pitch in and ring a bell this season to contact them and help the less fortunate this holiday season.
It's a familiar sound of the holiday season inside the Lycoming Mall near Muncy. Volunteers man the donation kettles every year, ringing in a season of giving and hoping to help others.
"More than a thousand have come to us already saying they need help for Christmas. That means we need to raise money to help them," said Major Steven Stoops of the Salvation Army.
It's no secret to him that all over the area people have fallen on hard times. Major Stoops believes 2009 will be a tough year for donations.
"When it's a tough year for us, that means it's a tough year for our donors as well and we're asking them to do more than we've asked them in the past," Major Stoops added.
That's why people like Sandy Henry spend their day asking shoppers to contribute to the cause. She rings her bell in front of the WalMart in Montoursville and every so often someone comes along and makes it all worth it.
"I love doing it, so help out the Salvation Army and help kids for Christmas," Henry said.
The Salvation Army wants to raise $100,000 this season just through the work at the donation kettles and the ringing of the bells.
"That's a lot of money and we're asking a lot from people but it's needed money to make sure everyone gets fed and everyone gets a toy here in Lycoming County," said Major Stoops.
The Salvation Army is asking anyone who wants to pitch in and ring a bell this season to contact them and help the less fortunate this holiday season.
