The Salvation Army of central Arkansas has planned a service fair next week to recruit seasonal workers and volunteers, including bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Campaign.
The red kettles serve as collection stations for donations that help the charitable organization "bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten," according to Salvation Army central Arkansas command spokesman Kathy Barbeire.
The charity's national agreement dictates that it will ring its bells at most sites, such as Wal-Mart and Kroger stores, between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, but the red kettles will appear starting Nov. 15 at McCain Mall, Dillard's at Park Plaza Mall and other places, Barbeire said.
This year, she said, the group needs help Mondays through Saturdays for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. shifts and 5-9 p.m. shifts, the latter designed to "attract some high school students looking for after-school work to earn some extra money during the holidays."
The charity hopes to hire about 150 paid bell-ringers, the Salvation Army's Justin Simmons said.
The group's goal is to raise $407,000 to support programs in Pulaski, Saline, White and Lonoke counties.
Representatives will take applications from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the lower-level food court at McCain Mall, 3929 McCain Blvd, in North Little Rock. Applications are also available at the Salvation Army location at 1505 W. 18th St., North Little Rock.