Volunteer Spotlight: Through The Eyes OfAKettle Bell Ringer Winning With The Rochester Red Wings

Why did I become a Salvation Army bell ringer at the age of 72? I saw a newspaper article in my morning paper stating that they couldn’t put out all the kettles due to a shortage of bell ringers. With no golf matches, garden or lawn work to do in the winters of upstate New York, I had the time to volunteer my services.

I had worked in a shelter’s noon meals at The Salvation Army and my past experience was most favorable. They were delighted with my call and said I could name the time and place I wanted to ring.

It turned out to be fun doing 3-hour stints and I met a lot of new and interesting people. I saw old friends, school chums and work associates as well. I learned a lot about people. All kinds and shapes with all kinds of loads and missions.

When kids inquired about the bell and kettle, parents would explain about helping the less fortunate and give them a dollar to put in. It felt great to be a part of this enlightening experience and to see the immediate reaction of a child’s contribution.

I saw all kinds of humanitarian acts; elderly getting escorted through the parking lot to and from their cars, lottery ticket buyers sharing dreams, shoppers who gave nothing initially, but then gave their grocery change before leaving. A dollar here, five dollars there...one man put in a twenty. A few even wrote checks or ran out to their cars to be able to make a contribution. I was heartened by the many who thanked me for ringing.