
Believe it or not, weather can have a profound affect on the giving season.
In the last two weeks of unseasonably warm weather, the Salvation Army bell ringers have collected three percent more than last year.
Major Jim Beardsley credits more ringers and warm weather for the increase. He said the comfortable temperatures seem to inspire a giving spirit - but so do a few snowflakes.
"The weather does effect bell ringing. Right now with the warm weather, people are glad, they're out shopping, but they also like to have just a little hint of snow in the air, that gets people in the festive mood," Beardsley said.
This year's Red Kettle campaign goal: one dollar above last years total, $135,001.