RINGING UP DONATIONS — Weir High School students Onaleigh Eddy, left, and Karlie Bailey are among many volunteers manning the Salvation Army’s familiar red kettle this Christmas season. Salvation Army leaders on both sides of the Ohio River are seeking help and donations to make the holiday brighter for local residents in need. -- Warren Scott

The Christmas season can be a busy time, filled with shopping and preparations for special gatherings, but it also is a time when many reflect on the blessings in their lives.

Local leaders of the Salvation Army are asking area residents to consider those who are not as fortunate by helping them help fellow citizens in need.

Area shoppers will find the organization’s familiar red kettles outside area businesses through Dec. 23 and are encouraged to drop some money into them.

Capt. Gene Hunt, commander of the Salvation Army in Brooke and Hancock counties, noted the kettle campaign is the organization’s biggest fundraiser, raising money not only for Christmas gifts but also to feed local families in need throughout the year.

He and Salvation Army Sgt. Maj. Debbie Moore, coordinator for the kettle campaign in Steubenville, said individuals also can support the effort by standing on the other side of the kettle as volunteer bell ringers.

Bell ringers are needed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday in Brooke and Hancock counties and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Jefferson County.

While it’s not unusual for kettles to be staffed up to Christmas Eve, the Salvation Army doesn’t conduct bell ringing on Sundays, so this year’s campaign will end on Dec. 23.

Distributions of food and gifts will occur sooner, and the local Salvation Army commanders also need help with them.

The Steubenville Salvation Army has placed angel trees, with angel-shaped ornaments bearing the Christmas wishes of local children in need, at the Steubenville Wal-Mart, Shoe Sensation and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar.

New, unwrapped gifts for children of a variety of ages and interests should be purchased and returned between Monday and Dec. 18 to allow the Steubenville Salvation Army time to get them to their families before Christmas Day.

An angel tree also has been posted at the Weirton Wal-Mart, while others have been sent to other businesses in Brooke and Hancock counties, including many where employees collectively “adopt” the angels.

But those who have missed collecting an angel can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Salvation Army headquarters at 794 Cove Road, Weirton; 401 Commerce St., Wellsburg; or 325 N. Fourth St., Steubenville.

Salvation Army staff said children aided by them appreciate such Christmas staples as toy cars and trucks, baby dolls and footballs.

The Weirton and Wellsburg Salvation Army locations need to receive donations of gifts by Wednesday.

Those who want to help but aren’t able to meet the deadline for toy donations also may send a check to any of the Salvation Army locations and indicate in the memo line how they want it to be used.

“Wherever they want it to go, that’s where it will go,” said Moore.

“All donations are used locally,” noted Hunt.

Because this Christmas falls just after a weekend, the two Salvation Army corps are working under a tighter deadline.

Operations for the Steubenville Salvation Army also are being overseen by leaders from the East Liverpool corps while its staff awaits the arrival of new commanders in January.

But all of the leaders are optimistic the local community again will step forward to share the holiday’s spirit of giving with others.

Hunt said, “I’ve never had a bad Christmas. I’ve had some challenging ones, but I’ve never had a bad one. This is a great community and I know they will come through for us again.”