One Fayetteville family spent their Saturday evening ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
SYRACUSE -- Many volunteers have been braving the cold to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. The bell ringer's task is bigger than ever this year, as charities see more and more people asking for help thanks to the struggling economy. The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area is issuing an urgent call saying the number of families asking for help from the Christmas bureau is up 20 percent this year. At the same time, donations are down.
Among those trying to help out the organization are Michael and Stephanie Hausladen of Fayetteville. They and three of their kids rang bells to collect donations for the Salvation Army for the first time this year.
"I think it's all about the season, you want to do your best to help everyone and it's about giving so you know the Salvation Army pot's not going to be here unless someone is here with it," Michael Hausladen said.
They aren't seeking attention and are modest about what they're doing. Michael is an engineer and Stephanie is a teacher, and they are thankful for all they have during these tough economic times. They are just asking others to give what they can to help out people in the community. Along the way, they are trying to teach their kids an important lesson, leading by example.
"It's important to give back to your community and the Salvation Army is an important part of our community so that's what's I'm trying to teach them," Stephanie Hausladen said.
This week the Salvation Army sounded the alarm that there is a real concern about whether there will be enough food to give out to families on Christmas Bureau Distribution Day on December 23rd.
To learn more about how you can help, go to the Salvation Army's website under 'related links' below.
