Ring that bell: More applicants than ever

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Salvation Army bell ringers are back. It's a familiar sound to shoppers region-wide. This year, however, the job of a bell ringer is one hot job to get.

Three times as many people applied for the 250 minimum-wage spots in the Portland metropolitan area. It's an unusual turnout after years where organizers said they could hardly get enough applicants.

Kim Kennedy was one of the lucky ones selected.

"This is my first year," one of those bell ringers, Kim Kennedy, tells KATU. Three days into this job, Kennedy has mastered her bell-ringing techniques.

"It's all about being nice and courteous, and ringing the bell of course," Kennedy said. Then she puts the job in action to a passing shopper: "Thank you, happy holidays."

As much as her arm gets tired and hands get cold standing here eight-hours a day, Kennedy is like so many these days who feel fortunate to have this job.

"I was glad, surprised because I heard there were people before me," she said.

Indeed, "we have more applicants than we know what to do with," said James Sloan with the Salvation Army. "...Probably three times the applicants this year than is normal."

So this year, the Salvation Army has an unusual bell ringer plight: they are turning people away. Sloan attributes this influx to Oregon's unemployment rate of more than 11 percent. However, cities across the country are seeing this same jump in applicants. Officials attribute it to high unemployment nationwide.

Even though this only pays minimum wage, the Salvation Army says enough people are hurting financially this year - they'll take what they can get.

"I think there are people on the edge, that in years past have been donors of ours that are now becoming recipients of aid," Sloan said. "They're accepting jobs that are in lower pay categories than before."

The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign runs every December. Some of the sites are staffed by volunteers, but workers are used to fill in the gaps.

Around Portland, 250 people will work this month, and the Salvation Army is glad to employ them. It's Red Kettle Drive for 2009 is expected to bring in $650,000 from its "generous donors" - making up 5 percent of the Salvation Army's income in Portland.

"We're blessed enough to have an abundance and we can share," said Terry Nix, one shopper dropping in a donation for this year's Kettle Drive.

Kennedy is glad she can help collect that, while also collecting a paycheck.

"Half for Christmas and the other half for school," Kennedy said. "And a friend of mine said he was going to match it for me, so that makes me feel extra better."

Then it's back to the job: "God bless," she says to a passer by. "Have a wonderful afternoon."