With the holiday season underway, so is the Red Kettle campaign of the Salvation Army, with bell ringers being sought to help in both Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

New this year is an online application process to become a volunteer or seasonal worker for the red kettles at www.registertoring.com.

Ramona Ramsey, kettle coordinator at Salvation Army Warren Corps Community Center in Trumbull County, said bell ringers can help Monday to Saturday through Dec. 24.

She said while the red kettles first went out on Nov. 12, they will be at all locations with a full kickoff starting today.

Ramsey said the application process can be done online and then an interview takes place. The application process for seasonal employment continues through Dec. 11.

She said between 30 and 40 people are employed during the holiday season to help ring bells and watch kettles in addition to the many volunteers.

“We have had a tremendous amount of volunteers, but we can always use more to help with our busy schedule. People can see what times they can help,” she said.

Locations include the Eastwood Mall in Niles, Hobby Lobby, Sam’s Club, Giant Eagle, Sparkle Markets and Walmart in Liberty, which is shared with volunteers from both Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

Ramsey said various shifts are available, with a minimum of two hours asked per shift.

She said often families take part in covering different shifts or churches have their members take different times.

“Many people do this because they want to give back. We have about 25 volunteers who come back every year to help. They often bring new people too,” Ramsey said.

She said people have brought therapy dogs with them to stand by the kettles.

Ransey said the local Masonic Lodge members have agreed to help ring the bell over three weekends.

To make the public aware of who the bell ringers are, they are given a button that says “I am working for the Salvation Army today.”

Ramsey said while some bell ringers dress up as Santa Claus or wear holiday attire, it is not required.

The Salvation Army Warren Corps Community Center is located at 270 Franklin St. SE, Warren, and can be reached at 330-392-1573.

MAHONING COUNTY

Maj. Paul Moore of the Salvation Army of Mahoning County in Youngstown said it has 14 locations where bell ringers are needed.

He said the new online registration had made it easier for people to sign up and see what shifts and locations need help.

Moore said people can ring the bell outside Walmart, Giant Eagle, Sparkle and the Southern Park Mall.

“We have had a lot of groups sign up this year. There are new groups of people. We still need more volunteers since there are a lot of openings at different locations,” Moore said.

“We appreciate the help, but also want people to have fun doing this,” he said. “People can recruit their family or friends to help.”

He said what is nice is that many people return each year wanting to continue being bell ringers.

Moore said the Salvation Army appreciates all the volunteers who sign up and help in whatever ways they can.

“We couldn’t do all this without the help from the public,” he said.

The Salvation Army of Mahoning County is located at 1501 Glenwood Ave, Youngstown, and can be reached at 330-746-8403.