The Elkhart Salvation Army needs volunteers and donations for families in need this holiday season

ELKHART, Ind. -- This holiday season the Elkhart Salvation Army is facing some major challenges with the need of volunteers to ring the bells at their red kettle locations across the community.

Currently they are looking to fill over 3500 hours to ring the bell at their current and new locations recently added across Goshen and Elkhart County.

They have filled 700 hours of volunteers so far, but they have a long road ahead of them and they are calling on the community to help ring in some holiday cheer. Bell ringers are on their post for two hours, that’s all it would take to make the holidays just a little brighter for those families in need.

The donations that are collected at the red kettles helps the Salvation Army provide assistance for people year-round, they have collected $150,000 out of their $500,000 goal. This initiative runs from now until Christmas Eve, so the community has plenty of time to sign up and help make an impact in the communities they serve.

Anyone can sign up; they recommend the ringer to be 18 or older, but if you're not of age you can bring an adult to ring with you.

Major Tim Nauta at the Elkhart Salvation Army encourages the community to step up and take advantage of a chance to make a difference

“Donating to the Salvation Army, you're keeping someone in their home, you're keeping someone’s lights on, their heat on, especially during the winter, and you're helping to provide food for them with the high cost of everything. Nowadays the need is higher than ever, so you can make a huge impact by just continuing to support the Salvation Army through your donations, through your time.” said Nauta.

Whether it’s your local Walmart, Kroger, Hobby Lobby, Harding's, or Martin’s, ringing the bell is an easy way to give back while connecting with those in your community.

Bells will ring from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily excluding Sundays

The sound of those bells is more than just a ring, it’s a call for hope, help, and for you to get involved. If you want to sign up today can visit their website or their main offices in Elkhart and Goshen.