Economy Encourages Volunteering in Chattanooga

There's usually plenty of bad news about the economy these days.

Tonight we have a positive side effect from the recession.

Volunteering in America reached a four year high last year.

Local numbers seem to mirror the national trend.

We spoke with a family of volunteers for

The tinkle of the Salvation Army bell mixes with the sound of music outside Hamilton Place Mall.

Every Friday and Saturday this July you can find 12 year old Jebediah playing his euphonium while his brother 15 year old Timothy blows the tenor trombone..as mom Judy rings the bell for Christmas in July.

Timothy, "$17 gives them a bed and a dinner for one night so that's the program type that we're trying to raise money for."Jebediah, "Sometimes people are surprised that we're playing so they'll give more money than if we were just ringing a bell."

They're among a growing number of volunteers encouraged by the economy.

The Salvation Army noticed a 44 percent spike last year and a more than 50 percent jump so far this year.

They include people who were laid off trying to stay busy or keep their resume's current.

For Judy, it's simply for the joy of the experience.

Judy, "I don't really think of it as giving so much because other people give me more than I could receive from doing this job. They're so kind and so giving to the Salvation army that it gives me a blessing I guess to see how good and how kind people can be to others."

A government report found last year the largest number of people in the past four years volunteered.

Like the Thomas's fundraising topped the activities followed by collecting and distributing food.

Jebediah, "I think it is very very important."Timothy, "It gives me a happy feeling."

A happy feeling that will keep them giving their music and time.

Judy, "I've done this just once before but I would come back again."

The Chattanooga Rescue Mission and the Community Kitchen also tell us they've noticed an increase in volunteers.