By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Even Japanese tourists give at the Salvation Army kettle
outside the Ala Moana Liberty House store.
Volunteer ringer Dorothy Doi tends her kettle.

Salvation Army bell ringers today will be making a last appeal for loose change.

They say that more people seem to be giving this year - but plunking less in kettles.

Nontheless, the charitable organization hopes to match last year's $380,000 tally.

"We're feeling pretty optimistic about the outcome," spokeswoman Judy Lee said. Donations "were very slow at the beginning, but it has picked up ... it seems a greater number of people are responding to our campaign."

While the tally won't be known until after Christmas, Lee believes the spirit of Christmas will prevail.

"It's such a tradition," she said. "It's part of Christmas. It's a way of giving. It's a way of showing."

Dwarfed by the poinsettias, Dorothy Doi switched between ringing a silver and a red bell outside the Liberty House at Ala Moana Center yesterday.

Some people, she said, prefer the sound of one or the other. She tries to please all ears.

Doi, 62, a retired elementary schoolteacher who still substitutes, plays the bell ringer's part to a tee.

She has for seven years.

"You see the best part of people," she said.

"I meet a lot of people and it's a worthy cause, that's for sure. I hear a lot of input. People say, 'Now it's my turn to pay back.'"

Kathy Chun and her three children followed the sounds of the bells to Doi, the petite ringer dressed in black pants, a white blouse with a glistening wreath for a broach and a red jacket.

"It's the bell that gets you," said Chun, 33. "You know they're out there."

John and Dolores Germaine have been out there for 35 years. Each year the Pearlridge couple has volunteered as bell ringers through The Salvation Army Church at Waioli Corps, averaging about 24 hours apiece.

Growing up in an orphanage, Dolores Germaine, 80, knows firsthand the plight of the needy.

"We're retired (and) on fixed income, but we share what we can share," she said.

"Mele Kalikimaka," she wished those who shopped at the Manoa Marketplace Safeway yesterday, while her husband whistled Jingle Bells.

John Germaine, 75, is enjoying it while he can even though he has to use an ointment to rest his arm after ringing the bell for about six hours. "It takes its toll," he said, smiling. "I enjoy it.

"I whistle, especially when kids come. I've had kids come up three times to give money."