A Peek Into What it is like to Volunteer as Bell Ringer with The Salvation Army
What’s It Like to Ring the Bell?
Jennifer Cantero's Cheerful Experience
2017 marks Jennifer Cantero’s second year as a volunteer bell ringer. For Jennifer, “It’s such a humbling and uplifting experience. You can’t help but play the game of trying to guess who’s going to give and who’s not…and often, it’s those who you think can’t possibly afford to give who are the most generous.”
“One year, I was ringing on a very cold day, and people were bringing me hot cocoa and coffee, and thanking me for ringing. Many children save up their money all year, to put it in the kettle. “
“It can be physically demanding for me to stand for 4 hours in a row, but the experience is so fun and satisfying that I pretty quickly forget that I might be a little tired. People come up to me and tell me their stories of how Salvation Army helped them, they thank me and wish me ‘Happy Holidays’. Ringing really gets me in the holiday spirit!”
Lisa Leong's Heartwarming Account
Lisa Leong’s first bell-ringing experience, years ago, had an inauspicious start. An enthusiastic rookie, Lisa arrived at the appointed Walgreen’s with an armful of holiday song sheet music, ready to serenade passersby. The weather, however, wasn’t in a cooperative mood. Rain poured down in buckets, and a cold wind started to blow.
“What happened is, people were so kind to me. Some people bought me coffee. One person went into the store and bought me gloves. When the wind blew really hard, my music scattered all over the parking lot. People helped me get my music back, and then joined me in singing songs. The kindness that everyone showed really made me want to be there, and ever since, I have wanted to volunteer and repay all the kindnesses I have received in my life.”
Matt Pease's Merry Story
“It’s a lot of fun,” says Matt Pease, who began volunteering for the Salvation Army after a successful career in technology sales. “You get to interact with lots of different kinds of people, and we have fun guessing who’s going to give and who isn’t—you never know! Some people ask if I’m doing it for a living, and others give as they tell me how Salvation Army helped someone in their family. Sometimes you’ll have moms who come out of the grocery store, give their change to their kids, and lift their children up to drop the money in—that’s fun to see.”
Matt serves on Salvation Army-Alameda County’s board and always signs-up to bell ring at two different locations each year so he may continue to spread the Holiday joy.
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What impact does volunteering to bell ring have?
The impulse to help those in need is punctuated each holiday season by the Salvation Army’s platoon of merry bell ringers. Donations collected in those familiar red kettles contribute roughly one-third of the Alameda County Salvation Army’s annual operating budget.
Bell ringing donations provide year-round support for:
- Food pantries, hot meal, and bagged lunch programs
- Affordable summer camps
- Free community classes such as ESL, resume-writing, and fitness classes
- Operation of the Salvation Army's family shelter and child development center
Bell ringing is not only a great way to help your community, but it is also FUN! Volunteer to ring as an individual, with a buddy, or your favorite group!
To sign up: https://volunteer.usawest.org/OpportunityDetail.aspx?ID=2895
or contact Volunteer Coordinator Christina Schwandt at Christina.schwandt@usw.sa.org
or contact your local Salvation Army location.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to be trained in advance?
The only training required is to read a brief Bell Ringing Orientation, which will be emailed to you when you sign up.
What are the time and age requirements to volunteer?
Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bell ringing shifts are usually 4 hours, but may vary according to location, and if one is participating as part of a group.
May I add some fun during my bell ringing?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to sing, dance, act, and dress up!
This sounds like a fun group activity-- How do groups volunteer?
Groups are welcome! We ask that groups cover an 8-hour shift, and rotate amongst their members every hour or two. We encourage groups to ring in pairs, but groups are welcome to ring together. Please note that typically, there is room for no more than 10 volunteers to stand at a given location, and some locations cannot accommodate large volunteer groups.
May volunteers choose when and where they will ring?
Yes, volunteers may choose their location, day, and time slot from 126 approved locations in Alameda County. All bell ringing stations are set up with the approval and support of the host businesses.
Is there any feedback that volunteers receive about their efforts?
All volunteers are invited to a volunteer appreciation event, receive certificates of appreciation, and learn the practical value of the donations they raised. For instance, $37.92 is the equivalent of 16 food boxes for those in need.
Bell ringing doesn’t work for me. What are other ways I can help?
You can make a direct donation here
OR
You can invite others to give by starting your own online kettle campaign