By Norma Yuriar
Fresno, Calif. (KMPH News) — Salvation Army volunteers are already out ringing their bells at River Park and Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno hoping donors will fill up their red kettles.
In some spots throughout the valley, you no longer need cash to make those spur of the moment donations.
"Oh! I didn't know that," Minche Gunawan said.
Starting this Thanksgiving holiday weekend the non–profit organization is giving the public the opportunity to use their credit card or ATM to make a contribution.
"A lot of us don't carry cash in our wallets, especially when we are out shopping. This gives you that opportunity to make that donation," Paula Scribner with the Salvation Army said.
Fresno is one of the few cities in the United States taking Visa or MasterCard, according to Scribner.
The wireless card readers will be available at select location throughout Fresno including Fashion Fair. The Salvation Army hopes the new option will increase red kettle donations by 17%, officials said.
All contributions support programs such as food for the homeless and toys for needy children. As of right now 1,200 families in the Fresno area have already signed up for Christmas gifts through the Star Tree Program – where people can select a star and go shopping.
"They took applications for 500 people in one day and most of those people have more than one child," Salvation Army Volunteer Paula Cheek said.
Each child writes what they would like to receive for Christmas on the star and hopefully someone will grant them that wish.
"Joe is 2 and he wants a Spiderman, so I think I can buy that for him to make him a little bit happy," Gunawan said.
12 year–old Gwen Ontiveros is also making a difference in the life of another little girl.
"Ariana is 8 years old. She wants a Hannah Montana," Ontiveros said. "It makes me feel really good to help someone else that's less fortunate than me."
No matter how you give, cash, plastic or by selecting a star – the Salvation Army believes it's a wonderful way to help put the real meaning of Christmas back in your holiday.
"It's a good cause, keeping with the Christmas spirit," Bell Ringer Ron Johnson said.
The Salvation Army also needs volunteer bell ringers. Go to www.ringbells.org to sign up.
