KIRKSVILLE, MO -- On October 1 the Salvation Army is going to begin accepting applications for its Christmas bell ringers.

Salvation Army Lieutenant Brian Bump said it’s expecting to raise about a quarter of its operating budget for the next coming year which is about $85,000.

Lieutenant Bump said it is a very simple application and ringers should have previous job experience.

He said they want to make sure the people who ring the bells are reliable.

“Whenever you're out there ringing the bell you're a representative of the Salvation Army,” Bump said. “So, we want these people to be reliable, dependable and just have a friendly face.”

The bell ringing will begin November 20 and last until Christmas Eve.

Lieutenant bump said the bell ringers will be out from the hours of 10 a.m. to eight p.m.