COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia. (KMTV) — Dayton Dunkirk is a typical four-year-old boy: playful, outgoing and sweet. But he's got big dreams.
"To help other kids," Dunkirk said."
Dunkirk comes from a long line of bell-ringers. His great-grandmother volunteered when she was a teenager.
"I've done it, my kids have done it, my grandkids have done it and now my great-grandkids," Carla Milledge said.
But the Salvation Army is struggling to recruit volunteers during the pandemic. People are fearful of the virus.
"We don't want anyone to be sick - but we do know there's always going to be a need whether the pandemic, whether it's not a pandemic, every year at Christmas, that's the one thing I can tell you that's always been is there's always someone that needs help," Capt. Chuck Cook said.
Cook acknowledges these are unprecedented times.
"This is the most abnormal Christmas I've ever known, I can't think of a time in my life when I've had any more obstacles or any more people that are in need," Cook said.
But he has unwavering faith in the charity, kindness and Christmas spirit of good neighbors.
"We are resilient, people of America are resilient and I believe Christmas is going to be good, because we need good right now," Cook said.
Good that can be found in the eyes of our children, specifically the sound of a little bell-ringing boy.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit this link.