Bell ringers bring cheer to Black Friday
The Bell Ringers are back and celebrating the start of the holiday season. The Red Kettle Campaign accepts donations every year around Christmas time. The money buys food, clothes and other necessities for people in need. Our Cara Thomas tells us people were in the giving mood after saving money with Black Friday doorbusters.
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ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- It's that time of year again. Christmas music is playing, bells are ringing, and people are giving. And Rick Allen, a Salvation Army Bell Ringer, is seeing it first hand.
"Meeting the people, seeing the people, it's a good time of year for everybody," said Allen.
This is Allen's second year as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, and today he's working a 12 hour shift.
"I don't mind it at all, I enjoy it. I like talking to people," he said.
Allen spoke with almost everyone while standing outside of Wal-mart on Black Friday. Some people walked right by, but others stopped and gave a dollar or two.
Allen said, "It's been very good today. I've only been here for a couple of hours but it's been good."
With all the customers going into Wal-mart for all the great Black Friday sales, bell ringers are saying it's definitely putting the shoppers into the Christmas spirit.
"Black Friday should be good probably most everywhere because people are in the spirit and they are getting deals. They give what they can, you know, a dime here and a nickel there and a penny there, it all adds up. It's just a matter of giving. It doesn't have to be a big amount," said Allen.
And it's all adding up for a great cause.
"It means a lot today because there's so many people that need help food wise and the cost is really high and it's a lot of money to spend. To make sure every kid and every family is fed for the holidays is really important," said Allen.
The red kettle campaign lasts until Christmas Eve. And volunteers are still needed.