The sounds of Christmas bells will be in the air the weekends of December 13-14 and 20-21 when The Salvation Army-Newtown Unit bell ringers set up at locations around town.

Openings are still available for the second weekend at Bagel Delight, 30 Church Hill Road; Newtown General Store, 43 Main Street; Stop & Shop, 228 South Main Street; Walgreens, 43 South Main Street; and Yankee Wine & Liquor, 6 Queen Street.

Individuals, couples, families, clubs and organizations, bands, et al are all welcome to spend a minimum of one hour ringing a handbell to encourage passersby to drop a donation into a nearby bucket. The buckets are secured; volunteer bell ringers do not have to count or keep track of any funds. They are simply needed to stand nearby and encourage donations.

For readers interested in assisting, visit bit.ly/DecBells or send email to Salvation Army-Newtown Unit President Glenn Nanavaty at gnanavaty7746@yahoo.com to find out which one-hour time slots are still available.

The organization is hoping it will be able to increase donations in 2024, as 90% of all donations raised will help Newtown residents directly. The local unit of the Salvation Army, in partnership with Newtown Social Services Department, addresses emergency needs of Newtown residents. The money raised from the Newtown Salvation Army Red Kettle collection stays in Newtown to help pay for food, rent, and utility costs.

Residents will hear the bells at additional locations, but those listed above are the ones with openings as of this week.

Readers can also help by filling the red kettles they see around town with whatever they have to give.