Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News
Johnson County - Salvation Army Bell Ringers are a staple of the holiday season, volunteering their time to help others. But this year, some of the bell ringers would otherwise be in jail. Parolees are doing their community service in the spirit of the season.
Shelves are stocked at Greenwood's Salvation Army with canned goods and children's toys, but the organization's biggest fundraiser is short on volunteers.
"You can see there's some holes there. Turn the page, and there's a lot of holes," said the Salvation Army's Major Richard Hartman, showing Eyewitness News his bell-ringer schedule. "So that's why we put signs out on the kettles requesting help."
It's also why they turned to an unlikely recruiting source for the Red Kettle campaign: non-violent offenders completing community service sentences by becoming bell ringers. Offenders Greg Garcia make up at least half of the bell ringers in Johnson County.
"I think it's one way of making people useful and making people part of the community," Garcia said.
But past crimes and even misdemeanors like public intoxication or marijuana possession brought up concerns over safety. Greenwood City Court Judge Lewis Gregory had to approve the program.
"We did want to be sure that the donations went to the Salvation Army and that there wasn't much of an opportunity for any of the money to disappear," said Judge Gregory.
"We modified the buckets so we can lock them on so they just can't grab a bucket and walk away with it," said Major Hartman.
So far, the program's been problem-free, and it turns out those collecting donations received something, too.
"It's not just a fundraiser but a ministry that when you're out there ringing that bell, wishing people merry Christmas, you're giving back to the community," said Major Hartman.
"Having them do something that can make them feel good when they go home is probably a good idea," said Judge Gregory.
Contact Major Hartman at 938-8924 to volunteer for bell-ringing in Johnson County. You can also donate online.
