At her Salvation Army bell ringing station, spirits were high and donors were cordial

Judy Barry of Rochester chats with a donor as he puts some cash into the kettle (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - During Christmastime most of Salvation Army bell ringers set up shop outside markets and malls across town, but on Monday Judy Barry of Rochester, who was filling in for someone else, was camped out in the vestibule inside Rochester's state liquor store.
"This is my first time bell ringing, and I don't do cold," she quipped.
A chatterbox by her own admission, Barry warmly greeted customers coming and going into the store, more often than not watching the overwhelming majority plunk down some cash into the red kettle.
The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign begun in 1891 with a mission to provide Christmas dinner for the poor.
Today, Rochester's Salvation Army Church on Old Farm Lane continues that mission with emergency food for the needy, counseling for addicts, shelter and many other services,
Much of their expenses are offset by money they make from the Salvation Army Thrift Store located across the road on Signal Street.
"We've done 'Toys for Tots' twice this week and keep a freezer of food available at the clothing store for folks who need help," she said proudly. "And a lot money is raised through the church, too."
The Salvation Army Church also gives out bagged lunches for those in need on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Barry said the folks coming into the store on Monday "have been wonderful," and had been very generous, too.
"We're doing very well this year," she said of the cadre of bell ringers out at various Rochester locations.
For Barry, it was her first time bell ringing, but it won't be her last, she said, adding, "I'll definitely do it again, but I won't do cold!"

Fore more info on Rochester's Salvation Army Church and their mission click here.