Ring the Bells – Volunteers Needed for A Happy Christmas
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – On Friday November 18, The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino begins its annual “Red Kettle” Bell Ringing Campaign. Bell Ringers at the familiar Red Kettles seek donations from local residents to help local families in need during this holiday season.
“Our goal is to raise $150,000 this year to help families have a Happy Christmas and to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and provide hope to the hopeless. This is our major fundraiser for the year. Last year we raised about $100,000 during the holiday season,” said Major Daniel Henderson.
“We are looking for volunteers to Ring the Bells and raise money for The Salvation Army to help the needy this holiday season,” said Major Henderson. “When volunteers ‘Ring the Bells’ it increases the amount of money The Salvation Army has to help people in need.”
The Salvation Army is inviting local colleges, universities, social clubs, service groups, elected officials, singers, bands, local actors, clubs and companies to Ring the Bells at local retail stores. People are signing up to help.
President Tomas Morales of California State University, San Bernardino and President Matthew Madrid of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire are asking their students, staff and faculty to join the effort to Ring the Bells and help our local people in need.
“Assemblymember Cheryl Brown along with San Bernardino City Councilmember John Valdivia are the first elected officials who have volunteered to Ring the Bells this holiday season,” said Major Henderson. Stater Bros. Markets, Under Armour and Target are also providing volunteers.
Festively-dressed volunteers ringing bells will be deployed to retail outlets in San Bernardino, Grand Terrace, Highland, Colton, Rialto and Bloomington. “Some sing, some dance, some play instruments and some just use their wonderful smiles and the familiar silver bells to attract donations,” said Major Henderson.
The tradition of The Salvation Army “Kettle” during the Christmas Holidays was started in 1891 in San Francisco, by Captain Joseph McFee, in an effort to collect enough money to provide a free Christmas dinner to the poor. Now the tradition has spread worldwide. It has been in San Bernardino since its early years.
Steve Pinckney has volunteered his time to Ring the Bells as part of his ministry work with the Salvation Army Corps. Steve is graduate of the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center and a past participants in the Salvation Army Corps’s Path-To-Prosperity program.
The Salvation Army volunteers will Ring the Bells at local locations including: Stater Bros. Markets, Walmart, Inland Center Mall, JC Penneys, Walgreens, Macy’s, Sam’s Club, CVS Pharmacy, Big Lots! and Ralphs.
The Salvation Army also needs donations of toys for children’s Christmas gifts, along with turkeys, hams, stuffing, canned goods, vegetables, pies, cakes and other food for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and food baskets.
“We always need food donations,” said Major Henderson. “We serve meals to about 300 people a day at our Homeless Shelter, Transitional Living Center, Path to Prosperity Program and free meals every day at 4:45, so food goes fast. We also need donations for our annual free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, served every year since 1887.”
Volunteers serve Thanksgiving Dinner at The Salvation Army: Serving on the food line (left to right) is Nancy Veaegas, Niyahn Summey, Walt Summey, and Robert Sanchez. We are ready for Christmas Dinners.
About The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
Roslyn Billings (Salvation Army Advisory Board member) and family volunteer Ring the Bells as a Salvation Army bellringer! If your family, organization or business can ring the bells at one of the San Bernardino Corps Red Kettle locations for an entire day, please volunteer by calling Lt. Cathie at (909) 888-1336.
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