Beatrice Lindsey stays busy, though she doesn't like to answer her cell phone when she's riding the bus.

The 83-year-old Wahiawa great-grandmother goes riding on the No. 52 into town. She loves swimming at Ala Moana or sitting with a friend in Waikiki to people watch.

But for one month of the year, she stays in one place. For the last nine years, she's been a faithful volunteer for the Salvation Army, manning their red kettle outside the Wahiawa Longs during the holidays. She's there from 9 in the morning until 7 or 8 at night, six days a week without fail.

For her years of service, she will be honored tomorrow as part of the Salvation Army's Partners in Community Service banquet at the Ala Moana Hotel.

Lindsey first volunteered with a friend to ring the bell for the Red Kettle campaign. The friend quit after a day, but Lindsey kept going.

"She didn't last," Lindsey said. "She wasn't used to doing that. But I enjoy it. I meet a lot of people."

Along with getting to know new folks, she also gets many visits from family and old friends. Her grandchildren come to see her during her kettle shifts and bring her lunch. Her children stop by, her son-in-law helps out, her nephew, her sister's husband all drop in to see if she needs anything. Friends come to say hello — the Lions Club, church groups — she has lots of regulars.

"They wanted me to start at 11:30 in the morning and I said no, in Wahiawa, the old people want to go out early so they can get home and watch their soap operas or whatever. So I start at 9 a.m."

Lindsey comes prepared. She brings her small radio to keep her company. She makes sure she has a chair.

"If I get tired sitting down, I stand. If I get tired standing up, I sit down."

And in case she gets cold in the Wahiawa winter days, she has a special trick:

"Double pants."

There's always someone who will watch the kettle for her while she takes a break or has lunch, but she makes sure she knows who the person is before she leaves her post. She's not about to let just anyone ring that bell. Sometimes when people are in a rush, they hand her the money rather than put it in the kettle. She makes sure to carefully put it in the kettle for them, "Because that's how I am," she says.

Lindsey brings candy to give to the little kids, but she says the old folks like candy, too.

"Sometimes people give $5 dollars or $10. Sometimes they give each kid a dollar so they can all put inside. But even if the kid only gives a penny, I always give them candy."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.