Salvation army is looking for a few good men and women. Volunteers are needed to ring the bell and solicit donations.

It's a familiar sight and sound that usually signals the holiday season. Volunteers ring the Salvation Army bell hoping the fill the red kettle. It's only five weeks out of the year, but is a major fundraiser for the non-profit group.

"Last year the total statewide income was about 600 thousand dollars," says Major Brian Saunders.

The Salvation Army counts on hundreds of volunteers to collect the much needed funding. But in recent years, it has also relied on more troops by hiring bell ringers.

"We hire about a hundred each Christmas season statewide and they supplement the work of the volunteers throughout the islands."

The pay is minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. The Salvation Army says it's also a way to help folks get back on their feet through employment.

"Here's a way for giving people an opportunity to help themselves, to give them a leg up as opposed to a hand out, and give them an opportunity to find employment."

As news about the economy gets gloomier, the Salvation Army is expecting a rise in demand for the myriad of services it provides.

"We have pre-schools and we have adult daycare centers that help folks who need a respite care for the elderly. We have a drug intervention program, we have teen programs that house runaways."

For the holiday season, Saunders predicts much of the demand will be in providing families with immediate needs, like keeping up with their monthly bills.

"People need just a little help with the groceries or rent on a temporary basis and so we're able to provide that. And of course when it comes to Christmas, there's so many added expenses, and people really want to provide for their children."

So now more than ever, the Salvation Army wants volunteers to ring the bell. And those who need the extra cash, can also apply for the job.