Salvation Army Rings in the Holiday Season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's that time of year again...the time when we hear bells ringing throughout the First Coast. It means you have a chance to help some of your less-fortunate neighbors have a more joyful holiday. 

With the drop of the first wad of cash, the holiday season officially begins for the Salvation Army, and around 8,000 children throughout northeast Florida will be helped.

The Salvation Army kicked off the 2009 Red Kettle/Angel Tree programs at the Avenues Mall today. They held a ceremony, including speakers, acknowledgements and music.

But this wasn't their first stop.

They started in Clay and St. Johns counties.

City Councilwoman Glorious Johnson is a proud bellringer. She said she'll ring her bell until they tell her to stop.

"Yes I am, unless they tell me it's illegal for me to ring my bell, I'll be there ringing my bell right in front of City Hall and pointing money. We want money, and that's all I'll be doing," she said.

The goal, as it is each year, is for every family on the First Coast to have a wonderful holiday season.

If you want to volunteer with the Salvation Army, call them at (904) 353-6303.

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