For some, holiday bell ringing pays bills; Salvation Army's iconic kettles now credit ready

[The Straight Story]

For some, holiday bell ringing pays bills

The Salvation Army Christmas bell-ringer campaign starts today, and this year it's not just about gathering coins and bills to help someone else. Many of those standing beside the red kettles are unemployed and turning to the $7.50-an-hour seasonal job to make ends meet.

Salvation Army offices across the Valley are reporting big increases in applications for the short-term posts that require workers to stand on their feet all day while they ring small bells and greet people.

Before the Salvation Army Chandler Corps opened its doors for bell-ringer orientation Tuesday, the line of hopefuls snaked down the sidewalk and onto the street. Inside it was standing room only.

Capt. Jason Koenig said he expected the record crowd given the economy and more than 120 applications for a job that ends on Christmas Eve. The non-profit seeks volunteers but must bring in paid workers to make sure 30 locations within the city are fully staffed, he said. Previous years' bell ringers are hired first; those who won't work full days or who have theft convictions are eliminated, he said. Many find the work too hard and don't show up after the first day; others are passed over if they don't bring in enough donations or look disheveled.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/11/27/20091127bellringers1127.html

Salvation Army's iconic kettles now credit ready

By KRISTEN WYATT (AP) – 1 day ago

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There could be less jingle in the Salvation's Army's hallmark red kettles this season. The charity is testing kettles that take debit and credit cards.

The growth of so-called "plastic kettles" comes as fewer shoppers carry cash. Bell ringers who stand outside stores during the holiday season say that more and more shoppers are shaking their heads and smiling as they pass by, apologizing for not having spare change or cash to drop in the red kettles.

Last year Salvation Army tested the credit machines in two cities, Dallas and Colorado Springs. This year the plastic kettles will be tested in more than 120 cities.

In Colorado Springs, fundraising last year went up $64,000 from the year before, an 11 percent increase. About $5,000 of the increase was from donors using credit or debit cards at the kettles.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9mpW3Y-CYOQeCpLQ1aysnvD0ygQD9C6OESO1

[Deja Q]

1. Salvation for Masturcard and the big banks once again, hot damn...

[dsc]

2. I just wish there were a gay friendly alternative to them

I hate not giving to such an otherwise worthy charity but I can't abide their treatment of gays.