Cheryl Hayden has one of those rare jobs: no cranky boss, good hours, plenty of fresh air and the additional fulfillment of knowing she's helping people who need it. The only real downside can be cold weather, but, she says, she merely adds warmer clothing when the temperature drops.
Hayden is that smiling woman in red ringing a bell, manning the Salvation Army kettle outside the ZCMI Center. And she wants people to understand she's not begging.
"This is not panhandling," she said. Hayden explains she does not ask for money but calls out "Merry Christmas" and "God bless you" as people hurry past. Donations aren't solicited, but Hayden does a good job of attracting attention to the traditional red kettle hanging on a tripod-style stand near the ZCMI entrance with her friendly smile and cheery greeting.
The Salvation Army "soldiers" deployed throughout Salt Lake County are doing battle against hunger, poverty, drug addiction and sadness. They depend on the generous spirit of the Christmas season — and especially shoppers who have the needs of others on their minds.
Money deposited into the 80 or so kettles around the valley is used to operate the Salvation Army's relief programs: Community Dining Room, family services, alcohol and drug rehabilitation and, during this season, the Angel Tree Christmas giving program.
About half of the bell ringers, who generally work from Nov. 18 through Dec. 23, are unpaid volunteers. The other half, like Hayden, are paid temporary employees. She was hired through SOS temporary employment service, and she asked for the Salvation Army job. Seventy-five to 80 men and women ring bells in Salt Lake County from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sundays.
The bell ringers are picked up at a designated meeting spot and taken in vans to their various assigned posts. They're given sack lunches to eat on the job.
Hayden enjoys being outdoors and seeing different people every day. An office job just wouldn't be her style.
"And I like knowing the money I collect is going to the hungry, drug addicts, people who really need it," she said. Hayden says she doesn't get bored standing in one spot for eight hours. She's a people-watcher, and there are plenty of people to watch.
She finds it interesting that the people you might not expect to be big givers are often the most generous.
"Well-dressed people generally give skimpy amounts, and ordinary-looking folks put in bills. But one very well-dressed man the other day put a wad of tens and twenties in; most do the best they can," she said.
People usually seem cheerful, exuding holiday spirit, especially children, Hayden said. "Once in a while" she gets a grumpy response, and one group of teenagers called out derogatory names, but she "shrugs it off."
Maj. Wayne Froderberg, Salvation Army director for Salt Lake County, said as Christmas Day draws closer, more people volunteer to help man the kettles until more than half are tended by volunteers. The organization's Christmas Angel Tree program provides toys for more than 5,500 children and gifts for needy elderly people. The Community Dining Room near the Rio Grande station feeds 400 to 800 people every evening year-round.
The Salvation Army also operates a 108-bed licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and provides food, clothing, counseling and referral help through its family services program. Nearly all this community help is funded by donations, including those dropped into Christmas kettles.
E-mail: karras@desnews.com