The Salvation Army Rings bring gifts and smiles

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – If it is the holidays and the bells are ringing, it is likely that you are not too far away from a Salvation Army bell ringer and his red kettle.

The Kroger storefront north of North Rodney Parham is the second home of Chrystal Fulton, ringer for the Salvation Army.

For the past 13 years, Fulton has rang the bell ringing his bell and smiling his bright smile.

"I try to smile for others to smile because smiles are the only thing that makes others smile," says Fulton. "I try to be positive, no matter how people treat me – to keep a positive attitude."

In 2005, Fulton moved to Little Rock in hopes of making a fresh start, but health problems and relatives in Arkansas led her to become homeless.

With a little money, but a lot of determination, she took odd jobs to make ends meet.

"I had a small part-time job holding placards," says Fulton. "I'm dancing like crazy, that's what I call it."

Holding promotional signs on the roadside for Great Clips and working for the Salvation Army, Fulton was able to get up.

"There is something to be thankful for," says Fulton. "There are a lot of people in Little Rock who do not have as many as there are others."

The Arkansas Red Pot at the Salvation Army Center aims to raise $ 450,000 this year.

All gifts offered by red kettles provide assistance during the Christmas period and beyond to help people who are suffering, hungry, or homeless, said a spokesman for the Army of the United States. Hi.