BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — For many, this is the first sign of the holidays. And for those at the Bloomsburg Salvation Army, it is a reminder of the hard work they do every season.
"All the money that we receive during the kettles helps people all-year round." said Lizzette Velazquez, Program Facilitator for the Bloomsburg Salvation Army.
That rings true during the holidays.
480 empty boxes fill the first presbyterian Church on Market Street in Bloomsburg.
The Salvation Army needs these boxes filled with Christmas gifts for 480 children around Columbia County.
"Yes, this is through our angel tree program. We each year put tags out for each child, and we'll have people from different agencies and companies that will take the tags and fill the child's wish list." said caseworker Alicia Lindenmuth.
Velasquez tells us they need help to make sure every child has a Merry Christmas.
'Volunteers are so important. As of right now, it's me Alyshia and Cara, and we're only 3 people so there is only so much we can do. During the Christmas season you know we try our best to be Santa and carry the big sacks, but we can only carry so much." she said.
They need volunteers to ring those bells, like Robert Stackhouse.
The volunteer firefighter says he is no stranger to the struggles of others.
"I think that's why we're here to help each other, especially nowadays. If you can, come on out and help volunteer for bell ringing. It's a lot of fun." he said.
And if you can't volunteer to ring those bells- you can still help.
"Anyone can donate toward a child's wish list, there's actually tags hanging at our local Walmart in Bloomsburg." said Lindenmuth.
"When you see the kettle people out their ringing the bell it's just a little reminder that not everybody can just go and buy everything they want, so you just giving your change or your dollar it goes a lot further than you think it does." said Velasquez.
You can find more information for volunteer opportunities or donate by visiting The Bloomsburg Salvation Army Facebook page here.