If you've been shopping recently in Oskaloosa, you may have heard the sound of a ringing bell, thanks to Salvation Army volunteers.

Bell ringers are stationed at Walmart, HyVee, Fareway and the Penn Central Mall, in addition to twenty-three small *counter* kettles located at other businesses in Oskaloosa.

A total of 44 thousand dollars was raised last year, which helped 652 people in Mahaska County with various needs such as rent and utility and medical bills. This year, organizer Jerry Morrison has a goal to raise $50,000.

Morrison says, "with the blessing of the good lord we'll make that and maybe even make 60,000, but, last year we had a 30 percent increase over the year before and so if the weather holds good, and we're able to ring all year long, uh, we should be able to make that - meet that goal."

And they're on the way to that goal, raising $6,600 in the first week alone. All the money donated stays in Mahaska County and volunteers are needed to keep the bells ringing through Christmas.

"We've got some shortage on bell ringers, in fact we're putting up some more posters encouraging people to ring for Salvation army, we're looking for more bell ringers", says Morrison.

You can call Jerry Morrison at (641) 660-0173 if you'd like to volunteer to ring a bell and help fill Oskaloosa's kettles.