A charity has suspended a bell-ringer after a shopper said the person harassed him and scared his son while they were leaving a store in Inver Grove Heights.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and a string of $1,000 donations to area Salvation Army kettles has inspired at least one 'copycat' giver.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, parent company of U.S. Bank, and the Salvation Army have teamed up to create a new iPhone app that lets volunteers sign up for bell-ringing time slots at 400 Twin Cities kettles this holiday season, according to a company news release.

The Minnesota-based retailer has changed its mind after banning bell-ringers outside stores. An executive had said the company feared allowing bell-ringers would open the floodgates to anyone who wanted to use store property.

The backpack had the woman's winter clothes, checkbook, keys and prescription medication. The Pioneer Press reports the items were valued at $2,440.