Its a sound that marks the holiday season: The Salvation Army bell, held by a friendly person standing next to a red kettle. We go behind-the-scenes to look at what it takes to manage the effort. The day starts early for Lieutenant Pierson Vincent. Hes a pastor with the Salvation Army and oversees the Columbus East Main division. Managing day-to-day operations is a busy job, but throw kettle season into the mix and the days get really long. Were going to go to Wal-Mart in Whitehall and meet one of the workers," Vincent said as he buckled his seatbelt. Vincent makes his rounds every day to every to red kettle on the east side of Columbus. There are a lot of them, 14 in different locations, spread from Whitehall to Canal Winchester to Blacklick to Reynoldsburg. I just go see if theyre doing OK. Especially if its an outside location...Give them their schedule for the rest of the week. Vincents East Main division has a $90,000 fundraising goal this season. One little known-fact about kettle donations is they stay within the community where theyre raised and help pay for local programs throughout the year. We have a music program. We have an after-school program. We have a program for people who want to complete their GEDs," Vincent named off. "We also have a pantry onsite. So all this money stays in that community and we assist the people with that. I know we called you this morning to tell you that you had a great couple of hours yesterday. Right?" Vincent asked a bell ringer. "Did I really?" she replied. Pebbles rings a bell outside of Wal-Mart. This is my second year. I did it last year. Pebbles, prefers to go by her nickname. Shes gone through some tough times. Pebbles turned to the Salvation Army when she and her family needed help. Its a way for me to give back because the Salvation Army has helped me and my family and my kids. They gave us Christmas. They gave us everything that we needed. Its a good organization, she said. About 70 percent of bell ringers are actually paid employees, like Pebbles. Vincent said they make minimum wage and receive raises depending on length of service and merit. We try to help the people who cant get jobs. So we give them a chance to ring the bell," he said. "And in return we pay them; so that will help them a little but during the season. Ten miles south, at a Canal Winchester Wal-Mart, Reggie Handon rings his bell. Theres a lot of cheerful givers here," Handon smiled. And Lieutenant Vincent said the giving sometimes comes in interesting forms. Many currencies from different countries. We get necklaces, diamond rings. Sometimes house keys, car keys. But most of the time donations come in coins and bills...and with smiles. We asked Handon what characteristics he thinks make up a good bell ringer. "I think a person that has a good heart and likes all kinds of people and it doesnt matter who you are. You dont have to be a certain type of person, just nice for one, I think thats the key to being a bell ringer, being a nice person," he answered.
The Salvation Army reports its behind on kettle campaign this year; a late Thanksgiving holiday hurt. But Vincent expects donors to rally by the end of the season.