Less money in Red Kettles this year

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The bells are ringing, but the Red Kettles aren't filling up very fast this year. 

Salvation Army case workers in Hampshire County told 22News that they are still $12,000 short of their $30,000 seasonal goal, with just four days until the drive is over. It isn’t just a localized problem; organizers in Springfield are also feeling the pinch of lower donations. 

Northampton businesses are noticing and trying to help. On Thursday, The Marinello School of Beauty on Pleasant Street hosted a “Deck the Dolls” event and allowed bell ringers to stand in front of the school.

“Other areas are down,” said Jessica Dorman of the Salvation Army in Northampton. “We've been lucky enough this year to have a lot more businesses allowing us to ring in front of their locations, which has really helped us.”

There are nine donation sites in Northampton, Florence, and Easthampton alone, and you have until Christmas Eve to make a donation.