Does giving ring a bell? The Salvation Army looking for N. Idaho volunteers.

“Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” — Zuzu Bailey, It’s a Wonderful Life

The distinct sound of Salvation Army handbells echoing through the air is a holiday tradition that J.R. Norvell has embraced.

“It’s a blast,” said Norvell, who has worked as a volunteer bell ringer since 2009. “I really enjoy seeing the good in people. It’s very fulfilling.”

The Coeur d’Alene Salvation Army Kroc Center employs people to collect donations, but it relies heavily on volunteers to work on Sundays and other key times throughout the holiday season. The center needs about 300 volunteers to work 1,200 hours at local retail locations between Nov. 18 and December 24.

“Our paid folks do a good job, but when you have volunteers they engage people at a higher level,” said Salvation Army Major Ben Markham. “They’re talking to people they know and it’s fun to watch them ask their friends to dig deep. Volunteers are very important to our fundraising efforts.”

This year’s fundraising goal is $233,000. The money is distributed through a variety of Salvation Army programs, including winter clothing for children, food, gas, utilities and medical prescriptions.

“Every penny raised from the kettles is used locally,” said Markham. “We turn around and put those dollars back into service, helping people in need.”

People from all backgrounds donate what they can to The Salvation Army.

“Anybody who wants to give back can do it,” he said. “It’s creating that spirit of Christmas by helping other people who are less fortunate than you.”

A two-hour shift can raise between $65 and $100. While most of the donations are small, typically about a dollar, there are exceptions.

“We receive some nice surprise checks,” said Markham. “God blesses all that is given, whether it’s a quarter or a $1,000 check. We’re able to make a difference in somebody’s life in our community.”

Jorie Sanner, an Arts and Culture program manager at the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center, said she’s witnessed the money’s impact on kids firsthand.

“The money from the kettle serves a lot of people,” said Sanner. “Some of it goes to scholarships for art classes at the Kroc Center. These are kids who might never have taken an art class. To watch them come out of their shells through art is amazing. It makes me so proud to be involved with something that touches these kids’ lives.”

Sanner has volunteered at The Salvation Army kettles for about 10 years.

“It’s magical,” she said. “I get goosebumps when I think about people giving back. My friends and I spent a whole day together volunteering.”

The social dynamics of bell ringing makes volunteering appealing for people, including with local mayors who challenge each other to see who can raise the most money.

“Ringing the bell is one of the best highlights of the year for me,” said Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer. “I get to see friends and make new friends in helping The Salvation Army help others. And that's why I do it to help support a great organization , The Salvation Army and to make a positive difference for people in need. It's a great feeling to be a part of what they do. For our local Mayors it's not a competition. It's just coming together to help those in our community. And we have great local Mayors!”

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said he enjoys ringing the bell and added that interacting with the public is a lot of fun.

“It’s a tremendous cause,” said Jacobson. “What I find interesting is that the people who you would not expect to give are the ones who do. It’s a great program that fills an important need.”

Norvell and his fellow members of the Coeur Group, a civic group of young business professionals, will be ringing bells again this year at one of about two dozen locations in the Coeur d’Alene area.

“Our first year we dressed up in business suits, but now we’re bringing our children,” said Norvell. “Our kids love it. They get to sing Christmas songs, they ring the bell. They get to wish people a merry Christmas. We’re teaching our kids the importance of community involvement and how to be a good volunteer.”

For more information call, 667-1865 or visit http://www.kroccda.org/

By MARC STEWART

Director of Sponsored Content