Salvation Army Bells Toll for Holiday Charity

By Anna Marie Finley

Monday, December 24, 2007

The The Salvation Army of Loudoun County has made a great deal of noise this holiday season. Even before Thanksgiving, ringing bells reminded residents that those less fortunate need their help.

Although the Loudoun branch has served the county for more than 30 years, the Salvation Army is best known for its volunteers dressed in red who stand outside grocery stores and shopping malls on some of the season's coldest days.

The bell ringer's kettles have become an international Christmas tradition.

Capt. Bill Criss and his wife, Jani, are corps officers for the Loudoun branch of the Salvation Army. The money collected by the bell ringers during the holidays not only goes to families that can't afford gifts or a Christmas meal, but also to service projects that take place throughout the year, Criss said.

"Our goal this year is $150,000," he said. "I am confident we can do it."

His confidence is because of people like Melvin Dodson, of Countryside, who ring bells for several days during the holidays. Dodson is a familiar face to shoppers at the Giant store in the Cascades Marketplace in Sterling. He has been the Salvation Army bell ringer at the location for 10 years.

Dodson started volunteering as a bell ringer with friends from the Douglass Community Center alumni group, but he's the only one in the group to give 10 years of service.

"After a few years everyone faded off and stopped doing it, but I just kept on doing it at the same location," he said.

Some customers are Dodson's neighbors, but neighbor or not, he wishes everyone a happy holiday and thanks each person.

"I like being at the same spot. I think people see the same person year after year, and they feel a little guilty. When they see me all the time, they say, 'I know it's Christmas because you're here,'" Dodson said, laughing.

A few miles away, rookie bell ringer Sherman Whitesize stood outside the Giant store in Sterling Plaza with the same smile that Dodson wore. Whitesize said bell ringers like giving back to the community.

"That's why we're out here; that's what we love to do," he said.

Photo: Anna Marie Finley

Sherman Whitesize of Forest View doesn't let the cold weather keep him from being a bell ringer.

Volunteers like Dodson and Whitesize stand for hours outside many of Loudoun's Safeways, Giants, Wal-Marts, the Dulles Town Center and other businesses.

"The bell ringers are a great reminder to people that the Salvation Army is out there helping in the community," Dodson said. "We don't get a lot of press, so if anything, the bell ringers are our biggest P.R. thing we do in the community."

Even Dodson himself is amazed he gets up each day to stand for more than six hours with the simple task of ringing a bell.

"I don't know how I can do it, but you know, once I get here, something overtakes me and it doesn't bother me," he said.

Students from Broad Run High School, Loudoun County High School and Dominion High School are among the groups that volunteered their time this year. Rotary and church groups were also out ringing bells in the area. The number of volunteers this year exceeded 700 people.

"People ask me about presents and what I want, and I tell them 'don't buy me anything. I don't need anything,'" Dodson said. "I'm not one that's happy from receiving gifts. I get my enjoyment out of doing something like giving back to the community."

Tagged: christmas

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