If you’re a regular customer at the Hy-Vee on West Sixth Street, chances are you’ve heard Evan and Paige Hunter playing familiar Christmas tunes in recent days at the store’s entrance.

Evan, 15, and Paige, 11, are brother and sister. The two have volunteered more than 30 hours of their Christmas break to help support the Salvation Army’s annual holiday collection drive.

While most volunteers stand by the signature red collection kettles ringing a bell, Evan and Paige treat their guests with Christmas music.

Their favorite: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

With donations pouring in, Paige, a first-time holiday performer, plays the piano while Evan, a three-year veteran, fills the jam-packed store with the sounds of an expert trumpet player.

“It’s a great feeling when people put money in the kettle,” Paige said. “Even if it’s a quarter, it’s going to help someone get a Christmas they might not get.”

Upon hearing the music, Peggy Johnson, 50, stopped dead in her tracks and turned around in amazement before leaving the Hy-Vee.

“There are some good people left out there,” Johnson said.

Evan and Paige Hunter, both from Lawrence, play their version of Rudolph

Craig Wood, Salvation Army coordinator in Lawrence, said the group has countless, hard-working volunteers throughout the year, but Evan and Paige were exceptional examples.

“People their age usually don’t use their talents so effortlessly,” Wood said.

“It teaches you a lot about helping others because they don’t expect anything in return.”

Chris Wiltfong, assistant director at the Sixth Street Hy-Vee, said the Hunters’ music lifted the spirits of the entire store, both employees and customers.

“They are very passionate about what they are playing,” Wiltfong said. “I’m excited they chose our store as a venue.”

For Paige and Evan’s parents, John and Leslie Hunter, there is a joy that cannot be described seeing their children brighten the day of so many people.

6News video: Salvation Army kicks off kettle campaign (11-29-03)

“It’s a lot of fun to watch it happen,” John said. “We hope it will encourage other children to do something similar.”

The Hunters are parishioners at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. Leslie said it was important to the family and church that their children show compassion toward the community, especially those less fortunate.

Many customers on a recent evening stopped to admire the caliber at which Paige and Evan played their instruments.

“It says a lot for Lawrence in general,” said Cathy Lewis, who was surprised at how young Paige and Evan were. “This is the time of the year when we remember what children mean to the overall feeling of the season.”