It is a sound that is almost synonymous with Christmas -- the Salvation Army bell

beckoning people to put donations for the needy in red kettles.

Again this year, members of the Christ United Methodist Church in Ironton are manning the kettles and ringing the bells at locations throughout Lawrence County.

"About three years ago, I looked around and realized there were no Salvation Army kettles in Ironton," Pastor Harold Brown said. "I called the Salvation Army office (in Cincinnati) and they got me started. I've really come to find out that this is one of the best charitable organizations out there. It does more good as far the money touching people's lives than any other organization I know of. Eighty percent of the money we collect comes back to Lawrence County. Only 20 percent goes to the Salvation Army."

Brown said the money collected is deposited into a bank account. The Salvation Army then sends the church books of vouchers they can use to help needy families pay their utility bills.

Fifteen members of the church will man kettles at three locations this season, Pick N' Save

in Ironton (10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily), the Wal-Mart store in Burlington and the K-Mart store in Chesapeake (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at each location).

Brown said he would like to see businesses get involved in the Salvation Army's effort. Checks can be made payable to the Salvation Army, but can also be dropped off at Christ United Methodist Church or at the three kettle locations.

"It takes all of us working together to see people's lives touched," Brown said. "This is not just a one-man show. It takes us all working together, and if we can work together, we can touch a lot of lives this Christmas season."