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Christmas is a season for the senses, all five of them – sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.

The colorful lights, the jingling bells, the hint of evergreen, the savoring of peppermint and the embracing of family and friends.

And, perhaps, the ringing of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle bells has become, not only a symbol of the Christmas season, but also a symbol of hope for many Americans who are struggling to overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships, said Kim May, director of the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center in Troy.

“The Salvation Army helps more than 23 million Americans who are struggling in many different ways,” May said. “The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign goes a long way in helping us provided a range of social services to people right here in our community that are facing hardships.

“The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors and those who have lost their homes to fire, rehabilitation for those that are suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and clothing and shelter for people in need. That’s why the Red Kettle campaign is so important to people here at home and all across the country.”

As the 2019 Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign nears a close on Christmas Eve, May said Pike Countians have been very dedicated as bell ringers and gracious in their giving.

“But, during these last shopping days, our hope is that support of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign will continue so that the Salvation Army can do the most good here in Pike County for our friends and neighbors in need.”

Thanksgiving was late this year and May said that will make a difference in the total giving for the campaign.

“When you miss a week, that does make a difference and, Christmas coming on Wednesday might make a difference in the last-minute shopping. But we appreciate so much those who are ringing the bells and those who are giving. Hopefully, they know that their efforts and their dimes and dollars make a difference in the lives of people in need.”

The Pike County Red Kettle Campaign will end on Christmas Eve. There is still a need for bell ringers, especially on Monday and Tuesday. Those who would like to ring are asked to call the Salvation Army Service Center at 808-1069.