Bayport-Blue Point Students Ring the Bell for the Needy

Bayport-Blue Point High School seniors Erin Dougherty and Natalie Mottl spent a few hours Saturday morning helping the Salvation Army holiday effort by ringing the bell for donations at the Waldbaum's store in Oakdale.

The frigid temperatures kept the number of shoppers down and also kept the two senior students taking turns scooting into the supermarket to warm up during the volunteer effort.

The Salvation Army Red Kettles have been an American tradition since 1891, helping raise financial support for critical Salvation Army programs and services year round.  The bell ringing season starts in November and runs through the Christmas Eve. According to the organization it only takes one shift to raise enough money to provide two nights of shelter and four warm meals for the men, women and children.