Ding-a-ding. Ding-a-ding.

Everyone knows what the sight of red kettles and the sound of ringing bells mean: collections for the Salvation Army. It's a good cause that helps to feed and clothe the poor and homeless in our area.

The Salvation Army has people to do this during the week, but they use volunteers from around the community to fill in on the weekends.

For nine years, my husband has helped out with these efforts through the Glens Falls Kiwanis Club, which staffs two positions at Aviation Mall for a day. For five or six years we've done it as a family. Sometimes my daughter or I have been sick, but my husband has always pulled through.

This past Saturday we manned the 4 to 5 p.m. shift at what is now known as the Bon Ton entrance, but anyone who's been around awhile knows it as the Ground Round entrance. (I really wish they'd get a real restaurant in there again.)

As I took my place I made a mental note to ask my husband to try for a daytime slot next year. It was already dark with the temperature hovering around freezing, if not below.

Just our luck to get the weekend when winter decided to kick in. The first storm of the year was still hours away but snow was definitely in the air.

I knew enough to dress in layers for the occasion and wore gloves and boots but couldn't find a hat. By the end of the hour my toes and fingers were numb and I was happy to head home, while the other two family members went inside to do some shopping.

We had two bells at our station, both of them familiar friends. I prefer the smaller one, not only because it fits in my hand better but also because it has a nicer sound.

The larger one has a square padlock for a clapper, which gives it a louder, harsher sound and also makes it heavier.

My husband borrowed a set of sleigh bells from someone in the previous time slot so my daughter and I traded on and off using the smaller bell.

There's a definite knack to ringing. Hand bells can be melodious and sweet, drawing people in and making them want to give to the cause.

Or they can be clanging and haranguing, a wall of sound that steers people away.

The last thing you want to do, especially with two people ringing at once, is to endlessly hammer the bells. Better to get into a gentle rhythm.

When little ones--toddlers and preschoolers mostly--put their coins in the kettle, we ask them if they want to ring a bell. It's so precious to see the smile on a child's face as she shakes the small bell and marvels at the pretty sound. It's just a glimpse of the glow that will be on her face on Christmas morning.

Standing in front of a mall for an hour, you see lots of people scurrying in and out. When familiar faces go by it's nice to be able to chat. Sometimes foot traffic is too busy and all I can do is smile and wave.

At any rate, it's quite a stage for people-watching.

I saw enthusiastic bargain hunters enter and weary shoppers exit. I'm used to seeing people leave their coats in the car to reduce bulk, but I shivered to see a teenager in shorts and a woman in a skirt with bare legs and sandals.

I saw only children hand-in-hand between their parents and mothers by themselves pushing double strollers. I saw a pack of preteens smoking final puffs on their cigarettes before catching a bus for home.

We saw a healthy-looking woman park in a handicapped spot who gave nothing. A little while later a man in his 30s with a cane walked from farther out in the aisles and placed a folded dollar in the slot.

There�s no way to predict who will give what. Whether it's a tough-looking teen tossing in some pennies from his jacket pocket or an older woman pulling out a long list and some dollar bills from her purse, the amount doesn�t really matter. Everyone gets a sincere and heartfelt thank you.

I almost didn�t make it this year. I spent most of Saturday curled up under blankets, worrying that I was coming down with the stomach bug that�s been making the rounds.

I really wanted to ring the bells but I�d been cold for much of the day that the idea of even going outside to get the mail gave me shivers.

After a very long, hot shower in the afternoon I�d warmed up considerably and decided to give it a try. We took separate vehicles just in case I found I couldn�t handle it.

I�m glad I went. It was actually the best I felt all day long. Human interaction and helping others is a great way to take your mind off your own troubles.

On the Bright Side appears every other week in the Arts/Life section. Kay Hafner can be reached via email at [email protected].