Salvation Army’s red kettles are looking blue this year

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With Christmas fast approaching, Salvation Army donations in Lake and Porter counties are lagging far behind expectations.

Cold and snow on heavy shopping days, a reduced number of volunteer bell ringers, and online shopping are all taking their toll, Major Troy Barker said.

“We’re not having as many volunteers ringing the bell this year,” he said. When bell ringers began seeking donations outside stores in mid-November, just eight bell ringers were on duty compared to the 18 the Salvation Army hoped to have, Barker said.

The Salvation Army hires bell ringers when there aren’t enough volunteers, helping unemployed people earn money before Christmas, but that also means getting less money for services throughout the year.

Bell ringer Pam Hay