The sound of ringing bells is more prevalent this time of year and for good reason.Agape Ministry’s bell ringing campaign is collecting donations to benefit its clients and the Salvation Army.Its goal this year is to raise $14,000, but so far it has collected only $4,400. “We keep 85 cents on the dollar and it’s used on our clients,” said Kathy Purcell, Agape Ministry of Warren County director. “It’s not for paying our executives.”She said money collected will benefit residents of Warren County.“We use the money to help the homeless pay rent, or keep the heat or water on,” Purcell said. “Every person we help is a resident of Warren County.” This year’s campaign began the day after Thanksgiving and will run until New Year’s Eve. Bell ringers are present from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday each weekend at Walmart in Warrenton and Economy Foods Supermarket in Wright City. “We have a larger season this year,” said Purcell. “It’s five weeks this year, but we have a lot of (volunteer) openings. We tend to see the same volunteers (every year).”Purcell said there are 168 volunteer positions in Warrenton and 52 in Wright City.“We ring almost no matter what the weather is,” she said. Purcell said the positions are not paid, but hopes that people will give their time to a worthy cause. “We ask our volunteers to do about two hour shifts,” she said. “We find during a two-hour period that a kettle with a person next to it receives over $100. A kettle without a person gets about $20.” Mike Wampler has been a volunteer bell ringer for six years. “I’m comfortably retired and I have compassion for people who don’t have as much as we do,” he said.“I have a good time doing it,” Wampler added. He said donations come from all types of people. “Everybody who donates is in a good mood. I just stand there and say ‘God bless you,’ ” Wampler said. “They’re nice people. You can’t tell who’s going to give you money. You might get money from the person who you didn’t think had an extra nickel.” Purcell said an extra nickel can make a large difference. “In 2009, we collected $17,700, but (money raised) has gone down,” she said. “ In 2010, it was about $14,000. Purcell said there may be a few reasons as to why collection totals have fallen. “People are shopping online more and they’re not going to the brick and mortar store and they’re using credit cards now,” she said. “There’s also the poor economy.” Purcell said now is the season to give. “You’re helping your neighbors,” she said. “You’re helping the person you sit next to in church or maybe the child who sits behind your child in school.”