I am a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, and proud to say so.

If you really want to experience the true spirit of this season -- gifting others -- then call your local Salvation Army and volunteer to stand by a red kettle and ring a little bell for the  hungry and the needy of your community.

Of all the charity organizations I have checked out, none give more of what they collect than the Army. The theme of this organization it to help the less fortunate in our community with food, shelter and clothing, as well as words of encouragement and programs that help individuals lift themselves up by their own bootstraps.

And what inspiration there is in ringing that little bell, the theme of "Silver Bells," although most of them now are made of other materials.

No longer does the Army stand beside its collection sites with bands, nor can you find many uniformed SA soldiers in uniform at these sites. The job is done mostly by hired workers and a large number of volunteers.

The joy I get out of the bells and kettles job is interfacing with busy shoppers who take time to drop some change -- or maybe a few gold pieces! -- into the red pots.

I have worked with the Army collecting toy donations, and in distributing them to those who have requested assistance. It has all been the crowning volunteer achievement of my life, since it has gone on now for more than 15 years.

But speaking of those people who drop donations into the kettles, it is so much fun to chat with them as they wish me a happy holiday and I reply with a "Merry Christmas." Most dig into their           wallets and pocketbooks as they push carts into and out of stores, and lots of them give the money to children to deposit. Being an incurable grandfather, I love watching those clean (mostly) faces smile up and say "Have a nice day."

The other day I was  ringing outside of a major big box store when a young lady comes up and drops some money into the kettle and hands me a Starbucks gift card, saying "This is for you."

I hear that many times from people who say thanks for volunteering. Makes me feel fuzzy that I am doing something good for our community.

Of course, the down side of being a kettle ringer is that every time we go shopping and there is a bell by a kettle, we have to drop something in. Sally, who also has been very active for the Army, carries spare bills with her just for the occasion every Christmas season. If am out  shopping alone and don't have money for the kettle, I feel very guilty when passing.

Tis the season of giving, thanks to the wise men who stated it all, and when we share we are really fulfilling the spirit of the season by the namesake of Christmas and the best advice of all:

"Do unto others as you would have them do onto you," to once again misquote scripture. But, then again, I still don't know all the words to "Silver Bells."