Hear them ring

“Actually, it’s fun,” Barrett said. “I like the customers and ringing the bell for the community.”

Red kettles are at 14 different locations across Wayne County, with the kettle campaign starting this year the day after Thanksgiving. Bell ringers will continue to be at local stores every Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Christmas Eve.

Some of the locations include Sam’s Club, Walmart stores on Spence Avenue and U.S. 70, Food Lion, Hobby Lobby, Carlie C’s grocery store, Belk department store and the Berkeley Mall, said Maj. Staci Gainey, commander of the Salvation Army of Goldsboro.

The campaign goal for Wayne and Sampson counties, which the Salvation Army in Goldsboro serves, is $50,000 this year, Gainey said.

Collections from the kettle campaign will help pay for food, emergency housing and utilities for people in need, she said. The money will be distributed based on need.

The kettles are manned by volunteers and paid workers and the Salvation Army is still in need of volunteers.

This year, Gainey reached out to staff at the United Way of Wayne County in search of kettle campaign volunteers. The connection resulted in finding volunteers, including several from Seegars Fence Co.

Volunteers Tony Balance, Chanda Best and Bo Daughtry, with Seegars Fence Co., were manning the red kettle outside of Sam’s Club. Each of the volunteers said this is the first year they have given their time to the cause.

“The Salvation Army is such a good organization,” Best said. “It has been around for years. It’s a trusted name, and it’s always nice to give back to community.”

Teresa Hines, who was ringing the bell at the red kettle at Walmart on Spence Avenue, has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army for six years and continues to help each Christmas season because she enjoys the people and ringing the bell.

Anyone interested in volunteering during the kettle campaign can contact the Salvation Army at 919-735-4811. The nonprofit is also accepting applications for paid workers, who will receive $10 an hour, at the Salvation Army office, at 610 N. William St.