Salvation Army sees rush for bell-ringer jobs

GRAND JUNCTION (AP) - One more sign the economy is still struggling: the Salvation Army is seeing a rush for its bell-ringer jobs.

The Salivation Army in Grand Junction says it has received 150 applications for 30 jobs that pay $8 an hour and often are filled by disabled residents or the homeless.

The group says it usually struggles to find enough people to ring the bells at its red kettles and collect donations for the needy during the holidays. Last year, the Salvation Army accepted applications into December.

Salvation Army Capt. Dan Wilson says the group hopes to raise $200,000 this year in Mesa County. It raised $185,000 last year.