Many more volunteer bell ringers are needed in Albert Lea as the Salvation Army marches toward its Christmas bell-ringing goal of $134,000.

As of Wednesday, more than 500 hours of available bell ringing remain unfilled.

“Five-hundred dollars equals about $17,000 considering the average kettle raises about $30 per hour,” said Capt. Jim Brickson, administrator of the Albert Lea Salvation Army. “This is money we can’t afford to lose.”

The extra hours of bell ringing must be filled in order for the Salvation Army to adequately meet the increased community need for the food shelf and other Salvation Army services.

“For people who cannot afford to make a financial decision to the Salvation Army, bell ringing is the perfect way to contribute,” Brickson said. “It’s fun, easy and costs nothing.”

The kettle season runs until Dec. 24, during which time volunteers can ring bells at six Albert Lea locations every weekday and Saturday. It is most helpful to have an entire day adopted by individuals, clubs or organizations.

There is a great need for bell ringers at Wal-Mart. The Salvation Army has gone to great lengths to make the ringers’ time there more comfortable.

Kettle donations account for most of the Albert Lea Salvation Army’s annual operating budget. These funds help serve many residents of Freeborn County every year.

When: Dec. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 6 p.m.

Where: 302 Court St.

Who: Applicants must live in Freeborn County. They need to bring identification for each member of the household, proof of residence and proof of all household income.

Questions: 373-5710

Distribution will be Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 6 p.m., Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at 822 S. Broadway Ave. (the old Buy-n-Save building)

To register to ring or for more information, either contact the Salvation Army or register online at www.thesalarmy.org/albertlea.

In addition to red kettles, donations to the Albert Lea Salvation Army can be made by sending or dropping off donations to 302 Court St., Albert Lea.

Red kettles were first used in 1891 by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco who wanted to fund a Christmas dinner for the area’s poor. By 1901 the idea had spread to New York City, where the Salvation Army used kettle donations to fund a mammoth sit-down dinner at Madison Square Garden.

The Salvation Army Northern Division serves nearly 350,000 people in Minnesota and North Dakota. It has been providing social and spiritual services since 1886, with a mission to give people purpose, hearts hope and souls redemption.