As people head out to stores to do their Christmas shopping this season, they’ll be met with the usual holiday lights and decorations, but they won’t see Salvation Army representatives ringing a bell near their red kettles at some major retailers.

Retailers Target and Best Buy have banned the donation solicitors, saying they are doing this so they don’t have to choose between competing charities and so customers aren’t irritated while shopping.

But the holidays won’t be the same without the bell ringers to remind us that the season of giving means more than running in to Best Buy or Target for the perfect last-minute gift. It’s not only about giving gifts to our loved ones, but also about giving to those less fortunate than us.

Eliminating the bell-ringers also eliminates substantial funds to the Salvation Army. Last year, the Salvation Army raised an estimated $94 million nationwide, with bell ringers at Target stores bringing in more than $9 million.

Some shoppers have expressed annoyance at the constant ringing of the bells or of the solicitors asking for donations in the first place. But there are many more annoyances for shoppers to worry about aside from those collecting money for charities. Outrageous lines, ridiculous parking situations and nasty shoppers are much more of an irritation.

While some stores have banned the kettles, others, like Wal-Mart, have kept them in place. We applaud them for doing so.

The Salvation Army has existed in this country since 1879 and has been a landmark of sorts at retailers during the holiday season.

According to its Web site, the Salvation Army is “dedicated to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, loving the unlovable and befriending the friendless. This dedication has produced an international network of helpful ministries.”

How could anybody – even corporate giants – turn an organization with those goals away? Especially during the holidays?