28: What Does It Take to Be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer at Christmastime

So each of the 25,000 individuals who stand by a red kettle each year and ring a silver bell have an important role to play. But what exactly does it take—and who can ring the bell? Listen in this week to hear from four bell ringers. #DoGoodersPodcast Did you know one of the two songwriters of the classic carol, “Silver Bells,” said they were inspired by none other than The Salvation Army bell ringers standing on street corners in New York City? True to the song, The Salvation Army does take to street corners, grocery stores and shopping malls across the country each year from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve to ring the bell at the red kettle. When you drop a dollar (or more) into a Salvation Army kettle, that money helps to fund programs in your community—from the food pantry, to emergency utility assistance, to after school programs and so much more. That money helps The Salvation Army serve some 23 million Americans a year. So each of the 25,000 individuals who stand by a red kettle each year and ring a silver bell have an important role to play. But what exactly does it take—and who can ring the bell? This episode will introduce you to four Salvation Army bell ringers to share more about what they do and why they do it.  From Riverside, California, Paula Mazey—a soldier, or member, of The Salvation Army, who rings in Salvation Army uniform. From Donnelley, Idaho, Terrence Keeley—a volunteer, who is known to dress up as Santa to ring the bell. From Sheridan, Wyoming, Greg Busche—a paid bell ringer, who last year rang the bell nearly every day before going to his full-time job. And from Spokane, Washington, Major Ken Perine—a Salvation Army officer, who rings the bell with his family every year. Find show notes for this episode and more at caringmagazine.org/podcast. 

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