WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: Teens Help Salvation Army with Bell-ringing Competition

Teens Help Salvation Army with Bell-ringing Competition

By Emily Matesic

The Salvation Army that serves the Fox Cities hoped to cash in on the Black Friday shopping crowds, and it turned to local high school kids for help.

Instead of hitting the mall to shop on the Friday after Thanksgiving, these teens hit up the shoppers.

They did anything to encourage people to put money in the Salvation Army's red kettles.

"We smile and say hi to everybody," Appleton West student Becky Hopper said.

All across the Fox Cities, the Salvation Army tried to have 100-percent of its kettles staffed Friday, and that's where these high school students came in.

By spending part of their day ringing the bell, these students are earning points for their high schools.

The school with the highest number of bell ringers wins the competition.

"We'll for sure beat them. West is best, right?" West student Meghan Murray said.

"Xavier is always on top for sports, for extracurriculars. We're out here donating and trying to be on top again," Xavier High School student McKenzie Mayer said.

But it's not just about bragging rights. Instead, these students are taking advantage of their bell-ringing hours for a number of reasons.

Whether it's fulfilling volunteer hours for the National Honor Society, like a group of girls from Appleton West High School, or helping a friend at Xavier High School with her senior project, in the end these kids understand the importance of ringing the bell and helping those in need.

"It's a good cause to raise money for the Salvation Army, and it's fun to do it with your friends," West's Carrie Glauser said.

"I don't think we're out here to participate. We're just out here to make music and raise money," Xavier's Skyler Keough said.