Lequrica Gaskins and her nephew Jhalin Pittmon volunteered to ring the bells at one of the Salvation Army’s kettle locations in Tifton. Gaskins said she wanted to make a point to volunteer this year because she wants to give back to her community and she really believes in the cause. She wanted her nephew and son, who is not pictured, to experience giving back as well.

TIFTON — Bells have been ringing in Tifton to raise money for the Salvation Army Tifton Service Center. 

The familiar red kettle and cheery bell has been a long time staple around the holidays, with bell ringers starting around Black Friday and continuing through Christmas Eve.

School groups, youth groups and individuals volunteer as a way to give back to their communities.

This year, the Tifton Salvation Army is falling well short of its $30,000 goal.

Susie Chitwood, director of the Salvation Army Tifton Service Center, said that the last week before Christmas is when they get most of their donations, and she is hopeful donations will really ramp up this year.

“Kettle donations help us keep going all year,” Chitwood said.

“We were able to help the hurricane evacuees because of kettle donations. We give out food and clothing every week and provide financial assistance every month, and if it weren’t for kettle donations we wouldn’t be able to help out community,” Chitwood said.

Randy Chambers, a Salvation Army board member, has issued a challenge that if they reach their goal by noon on Christmas Eve, he will sing and dance along with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”