The Niles Salvation Army is seeking volunteers from Cass and Berrien counties to volunteer as bell ringers during the annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

During the campaign, every cent donated supports the Niles Salvation Army by covering operating and program expenses. Money that is donated also supports the respective county where it was collected. 

Tim Douglas, the Niles Salvation Army coordinator of volunteer services said the campaign is one of the organization’s most important of the year.

“The fact of the matter is, we cannot provide this assistance without the help of our bell ringing volunteers and the donations of the community when they hear those bells ring,” Douglas said.

This year, there will be seven sites in Niles, two sites in Dowagiac, two sites in Berrien Springs and, for the first time in several years, two sites in Buchanan.

The Salvation Army encouraged individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, and churches to brave the cold and ring the bells at each of these sites.

“We encourage groups … to slot multiple shifts at a time, such as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Douglas said. “And them split the times between the entire group.  This allows more people to participate, and also means less time that people will need weather the cold.”

Volunteers are needed to ring bells from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 through Saturday Dec. 23, with the exception of all Sundays and Thanksgiving Day.  The starting time or ending time may vary by site and some sites have requested to be a weekend or Saturday only site.  Typically,  individuals are scheduled in two hour shifts.

To volunteer, call the Niles office at (269) 684-2660.