LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Every year, thousands of people volunteer to ring the bell for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign with the mission of gathering donations to help those in need.
In Hot Springs, the organization is going the extra mile to help people without a home.
This time of year, the Salvation Army's bell ringers are hard to miss. They greet customers entering and leaving stores and express gratitude when people put money inside the red kettle.
However, unlike most of the bell ringers who volunteer their time, Tom is experiencing homelessness and has been ringing the bell for the past month.
After reaching out to the Salvation Army, he was able to get a little more than just a place to sleep for a few nights.
"I was kind of depressed at the time and I knew they needed bell ringers," Tom said. "I thought, you know, try to be a part of the solutions instead of part of the problem."
The organization has about 30 bell ringers spread across Hot Springs and Captain Bryan Brinlee said 80% of them are struggling with homelessness.
"We take people that don't want to be homeless, and they want to change their lives," Brinlee said. "That's what we do."
Those who are experiencing homelessness, and are volunteering their time as bell ringers, are receiving a paycheck from the Salvation Army this holiday season.
"Because we made the homeless our goal and employee them, every single one of our locations is full," Brinlee said.
According to Brinlee, the Salvation Army in Hot Springs started this in 2021 with the goal to not only raise money for those in need, but also make a difference in their lives too.
"Homeless people are actually getting a paycheck, getting cell phones, getting their driver's license back and [it's] helping them get off the streets," Brinlee said.
People like Richard, who has been in Hot Springs since he lost his job, said he already received his first paycheck.
"I've been able to get an ID and a birth certificate," Richard said.
Thanks to Salvation Army, he even learned something new.
"I didn't know I was born at 3 a.m.," Richard said.
As for Tom, he's just grateful the organization is helping him change his life.
"It gives you a great feeling," Tom said. "[They're] giving me a hand up and not a handout."