Ringing the bells for the Salvation Army in Regina

In and among the frantic shoppers at the packed malls this weekend, the sound of bells ring out. They’re from the volunteers asking for donations for the Salvation Army’s Kettle campaign – a staple of the holiday season.

Dan McGill has been volunteering to ring those bells for years. This year he’s doing it through the Knights of Columbus for Christ the King parish. McGill was cheerful as he stood in the Southland Mall, but said he doesn’t put on the red bib to make himself feel good.

“Volunteering my time to things like this is something that I’ve done for years with different organizations, so it becomes one of the opportunities to pay it back, or pay it forward.”

McGill said he’s volunteering for the Salvation Army because it’s a good cause and they do some important work. He people in the malls are aware of it too.

“You don’t have to stand here very long and you have people coming over and putting in five bucks or 10 bucks, 20 bucks, loose change or whatever.”

While speaking to News Talk Radio, McGill even had to stop a few time to thank people as they dropped cash into the kettle in front of him. He said it might have something to do with the season.

“People are out here with money in their pockets, if you will, looking to give – kind of in that frame of mind.”

While McGill finds people can be generous, the Salvation Army is a bit behind on its fundraising goal this year, and hopes they can make up the difference in the past few days.

The money raised through the Salvation Army’s Kettle campaign is used for its Christmas food hampers, but also to fund the organization through the rest of the year.