DUBLIN, Ga. — Now that Halloween's over, the holidays will come rushing in and the Dublin Salvation Army is already preparing. They're organizing their Red Kettle Campaign to help families in need, but they need your help.
The Salvation Army is more than just a store. They provide clothing, disaster help, and financial assistance. Sherry Mangum and Sherrie Atterholt decided to be seasonal volunteers several years ago.
"It puts a lot of food and toys back into the community for children who don't have that opportunity," Atterholt said.
The Salvation Army in Dublin serves about 500 kids each Christmas. All the money earned gets put right back into the community.
"You can see the need more. It's colder, people start coming in, they're needing food, they're needing shelter. It's just the best time of year to give," Director Charika Todd said.
Todd says right now they only have six volunteers, but they need 20.
"A lot of people don't have anybody just to talk to, so you might be the only one to say, 'Thank you, Merry Christmas,' 'Happy Thanksgiving.' You might be the smile that somebody needs that day," Mangum said.
"The thing that I enjoy the most is when you see the children run up, they love to put the money in the pot. They know that the holidays are approaching," Atterholt said.
The bellringers start at 10 a.m. in the morning and go until 8 p.m. at night. You can choose your hours if you decide to join.
"It's very heartwarming to know you're a part of that," Todd said.
Red Kettle season starts November 4 and ends December 24.
If you're interested in helping out, you can call the Dublin Salvation Army at (478) 275-7336.