With Christmas one week away, it's getting close to panic mode for some last minute shoppers, and it's also a critical week for charities like the Salvation Army.
They're only at 44% of their 2017 Red Kettle Campaign goal. But there's one Valley bell ringer who's doing his part. He's raised $33,000 on his own.
Mixed in with busy shoppers at a Chandler Walmart is Charles Canfield. He's a tall guy from Burlington, Iowa.
He is easy to spot in his festive Christmas hat as he greets every holiday shopper. He's been raising money for the Salvation Army Red Kettle for a few years now.
"I enjoy doing it," said Canfield.
You'll find Canfield at the Walmart near the Loop 202 and Gilbert Road just about every day.
He loves passing out treats to the smallest shoppers. Last year he passed out 1,000 candy-canes to children. For hours he'll stand collecting loose change and dollar bills.
"I'm doing something to help people that are not able to supply for their families or for their children," said Canfield.
Canfield knows all about sacrifice. He has five kids of his own, so when the recession hit, he left Iowa for Arizona in hopes of finding a better paying job.
Thankfully, it worked out for Canfield, but he knows it's not the same story for thousands of other Valley families.
"I was still able to bring home a check, they had food on the table every night, and they had toys at Christmas," said Canfield.
Although his children are grown and out of the house now, Canfield hopes he can help other Valley families, even if it's one penny at a time.
The money collected from the Red Kettles make up close to 30% of the salvation army's total donations in the Valley. The money goes to help about 325,000 people every year.
