ORLANDO, Fla. — The sound of a ringing bell signals more than the start of the holiday season for Tobi Moyle — it marks a commitment to giving back.

For years, Moyle has volunteered with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign — greeting neighbors, raising funds and helping ensure support reaches those who need it most all year long.

What You Need To Know

Bell ringers with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign raise critical funds that sustain services year-round
Salvation Army leaders say 82 cents of every dollar donated stays in Central Florida
Volunteers connect face-to-face while making a tangible difference

“I love ringing the bell at Christmas time,” Moyle said. “There’s nothing better than running into one of your neighbors while you’re working at one of the red kettles.”

That familiar jingle — ringing outside local stores across Central Florida during the holiday season — is music to Moyle’s ears. She’s among hundreds of volunteers who step up during the holidays to keep the Salvation Army operating through the coming year.

“When you go into a local shop, you’re going to see people ringing the bell,” Moyle said. “I’ve heard people say it’s really not Christmastime until the red kettles come out.”

The Red Kettle Campaign can be traced back to California in the late 1800s. Today, it remains one of the Salvation Army’s most visible, and vital, fundraisers. According to the organization, 82 cents of every dollar raised is reinvested locally, funding programs that provide food assistance, shelter and other essential resources.

“I had no idea until I started volunteering that this program provides all the funds the Salvation Army needs to help people throughout the entire year,” Moyle said.

For Moyle, the campaign is about more than donations — it’s a chance to connect that lets her share smiles, conversations, and a sense of purpose, all while helping neighbors in need.

“It’s a way to give back right here in our community,” she said. “There are a lot of great community efforts that go into putting on the Red Kettle (Campaign).”