Salvation Army launches volunteer drive

Salvation Army bell ringers are synonymous with the holiday season, and that's why the Salvation Army has rolled out a program for attracting volunteers for the program.

Each year, about a third of the Salvation Army's funding comes from the bell-ringing program. In turn, that money goes to help the less fortunate all year.

"Giving epitomizes the spirit of Christmas," said Janet Kincaid, a member of the board of the local Salvation Army and a community activist. "We have a lot of faithful bell ringers out here, but we need more."

The "2 Hours Can Make A Difference" campaign is geared toward getting people to ring bells, even if only for two hours during the entire holiday season. The program began in Rockford, Ill., and the results were impressive.

"Rockford is similar to Anchorage in a lot of ways. Before they had the program, they would get a couple hundred volunteers a year. In the year they started the program, they got 2,118 volunteers, a phenomenal increase," said Jenni Ragland, the public relations coordinator for the Alaska Salvation Army. "They reduced their locations by five and their dollars actually went up."

While obviously helping raise money, the program has other benefits, Ragland said.

"It's a great, fabulous way for people to connect with the Salvation Army who may not have otherwise," Ragland said. "We can show them what the Salvation Army is all about and maybe they won't just be a season volunteer. Maybe they'll want to help yearround."

By only asking for two hours, the Salvation Army is hoping people will be able to volunteer who may not want to commit an entire day, or a weekend. Also, the Salvation Army is making things easier -- you can sign up online for the first time ever, by going to www.salvationarmy.org/alaska and following the links.

"It's a convenient way for people to sign up," Ragland said. "But if someone doesn't have a computer or isn't sure how to do it, they can certainly call and we'll schedule for them."

Ragland is hoping businesses get involved as well.

"Businesses can have employees in logo wear ringing bells, getting the message out there that your business is helping the community," Ragland said.

While the Salvation Army is asking for only two hours, Kincaid said there are organizations out there who must meet a challenge -- the challenge of the Palmer Lions, another organization Kincaid is a big part of.

"We've taken every Wednesday in the past, and this year we want to challenge other groups and businesses to take a day too," Kincaid said. "Part of the challenge in life is to help those less fortunate than you. It's a responsibility. It's great to see little kids volunteering with their parents, because you need to instill those values on children when they are young."

The 2 Hours campaign features television commercials, radio ads and print advertisement. The bell ringing program begins around Thanksgiving and continues through to Christmas, six days a week with Sundays off.