Bell Ringing for The Salvation Army Is a Great Service Opportunity for Students

For middle school and high school students looking to earn service hours, bell ringing for The Salvation Army is one of the most flexible, rewarding, and community-focused projects available during the holiday season. More than just standing beside a red kettle, bell ringing offers students a chance to develop responsibility, leadership, and empathy—all while directly supporting local families in need.

One of the greatest benefits of bell ringing is the ability for students to create a schedule that works for them. The Salvation Army allows volunteers to choose:

• When they work—morning, afternoon, evening, weekends, or weekdays.
• Where they work—various store locations, malls, or outdoor spots around town.
• How long they work—from short two-hour shifts to longer volunteer blocks.

This flexibility makes it easy for students to fit in service hours around sports, clubs, homework, jobs, and family commitments. Sign up is quick, easy and can be done online at registertoring.com.

Students who volunteer with The Salvation Army don’t need to worry about proving their time. A supervisor or coordinator will sign off on their service hours on-site or through a designated volunteer coordinator.

Volunteer Alone or With a Group

Bell ringing is flexible in how many volunteers can work at one time. Students can sign up to ring:

• Solo, if they prefer working independently.
• With a friend, for a fun and social experience.
• With siblings or parents, making it a family tradition.
• With a club or team, such as Key Club, NHS, Student Council, band, athletic teams, and more.

Group shifts often create a lively atmosphere and strengthen school or team spirit. Volunteers are encouraged to sing songs, play instruments or even dress in holiday costumes to help draw attention to the red kettles. Some clubs and teams even make fundraising a competition to see who can bring in the most donations.

A Chance to Make a Real Difference

Every hour spent bell ringing helps fund critical, year-round services including food pantries, homeless shelters, utility assistance programs, and more. All of the money that goes into a red kettle remains in the community in which it was given, so students aren’t just earning volunteer hours; they’re showing compassion for their neighbors in need. This is an important step in the development of the next generation of philanthropists.

Bell ringing at The Salvation Army is one of the best service opportunities available to young people. It’s a simple act with a powerful ripple effect that volunteers will remember long after the holiday season ends. To sign up as a bell ringer, visit www.registertoring.com, or take a minute to learn more about The Salvation Army.