As of mid-December, Bellarmine-Jefferson High School's volunteer Salvation Army bell-ringers had collected over $7,500 so far during the kettle fundraising season which began the day after Thanksgiving. "It's been a huge success already," said Bell-Jeff teacher Dennis Ryan.

Last year, the volunteer high school bell-ringers collected $8,400. This year, the students hope to reach a goal of $12,000. According to Salvation Army officials, the Burbank-based high school is the only secondary school in the nation participating in the Christmas fundraising program.