GREENFIELD — As the Greenfield Stop & Shop buzzed with customers prepping for Thanksgiving on Tuesday, each and every one was greeted by Carol Stoddard.
“Happy Thanksgiving! God bless you!”
She is a volunteer bell ringer for the Salvation Army and has been doing it for over 10 years.
Bell ringing began this Saturday and for volunteers like Stoddard, the Thanksgiving week can be a time to remind themselves what they’re thankful for while volunteering.
Stoddard, who stood for a full workday outside of the Stop & Shop ringing her bell and greeting customers on the chilly November day, didn’t complain once about the cold conditions.
“I am grateful,” she said. “It shows me what I have when I’m out here. You always think you don’t have anything, but you always have more than you think.”
Judy Crafts, another bell ringer, started when she was 18 and has been ringing bells for the past 50 years. She holds an upside down tambourine inside Foster’s Supermarket instead of using a traditional kettle. Crafts said she loves it because she gets to meet and talk to so many people, and everyone is so kind.
Crafts, who is a member of the Salvation Army, said it’s a way for her to help others during the holidays. She loves being at Foster’s and talking to the employees and customers.
“They treat me like family here,” she said.
She said seeing the generous side of the community always reminds her what the holiday season is about.
“It makes me thankful for what I have. We have a lot to be thankful for,” Crafts said.
According to Greenfield Salvation Army Capt. Scott Peabody, there are six bell-ringing locations this year: Green Fields Market, Wilson’s, the Greenfield Post Office, Stop & Shop, Foster’s and Walgreens.
He said the goal is to fill every stand at all locations Monday through Saturday during daytime work hours; however, some people volunteer in the evening as well.
The charity has a goal of $42,000 through the bell ringing campaign this year. The money goes to local operations year-round and includes Thanksgiving meals and Christmas programs.
Peabody said they are down in both donations and volunteers this year. He said donations don’t leave the area and serve local needs.
“Not everyone can give back monetarily, so they just like to volunteer their service,” he said.
He also said a lot of families choose to volunteer together to spend quality time and teach children about giving and being charitable.
The campaign runs from now until Christmas Eve.
As for bell ringers like Crafts, volunteering itself is one of the gifts of the season.
“It’s just a really big blessing for me,” she said.
Those interested in volunteering as a bell ringer can contact Peabody at 781-715-3393.