The two Salvation Army chapters in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region need volunteers for bell ringing this holiday season.
The Greenfield and Athol corps need some people with yuletide spirit to bring attention to the famous donation buckets during the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign and raise money for the charitable organization’s humanitarian endeavors.
“In the month of December we have a lot of opportunities, particularly mid-week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” said Capt. Paul Leslie of the Greenfield corps. “And we have, for the most part, two- and four-hour shifts.”
Bell ringers will be stationed outside the Stop & Shop supermarket in Greenfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange at 269 High St. from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Leslie said there are about 15 to 20 shifts available.
“It’s been a challenge rebuilding post-pandemic,” he said, adding that there used to be more volunteers in more kettle locations. “Greenfield has always relied on volunteers for filling the kettle shifts — that way, every dollar raised goes to direct service.”
There is also a permanent donation receptacle at Foster’s Supermarket in Greenfield.
Leslie said the money supports The Salvation Army’s social services programs, including rent and utility assistance, the meals programs and the drop-in center.
Capt. Esther Wilson of the Athol corps said her bell ringers started on Nov. 1, but she has only two so far. The goal each year, she said, is to station ringers outside the Walmart, Market Basket and Hobby Lobby. Wilson said the crop of volunteers to harvest from is particularly low this year.
“I don’t know what it is,” she said. “It’s pretty slim pickings this year.”
Wilson said the bell ringer stationed outside Walmart has been on the job for about 10 years.
“She is the best kettle worker that we have had,” she said. “She is amazing. She makes a lot of money for us. She’s our success story.
“This community is the most generous community I have ever worked in,” Wilson continued. “They love the Salvation Army. They appreciate the work we do, and it shows in their support and their donations.”
She said the Athol corps provided 650 Thanksgiving meals for area families and anticipates the same volume, or slightly more, for Christmas.
The Greenfield Salvation Army Corps can be reached at 413-773-3154. Anyone interested in volunteering in Athol can call 978-249-8111 and leave a message for Wilson.
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division hopes to generate at least $2.3 million through this year’s Red Kettle Campaign. Donations can be made in person at a red kettle or virtually at salvationarmyma.org/redkettle.
The Red Kettle Campaign was started in 1891 by Capt. Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army officer looking to cover the cost of a community Christmas meal. By 1895, the “kettle” was used in 30 locations along the West Coast and the campaign was making its mark on the East Coast by 1897. That year, the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for those in need.