The Salvation Army has had millions of bell ringers raising funds for the less fortunate since 1981 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph Mcfee started the tradition in San Francisco. This year is no exception. Charity and high spirits have been flowing out of our generous bell ringers this Christmas season.
Twenty-four individuals volunteered to compete this year to be the last bell ringer standing. The competition was cold but spirits remained high as they all remembered what and who they were freezing for. Here’s the list of brave and half frozen bell ringers who competed this year:
1. Ryan Althaus: Louisville, KY
2. Captain Quentin Boyle: Peru, IL
3. Lieutenant James Curry: Joplin, MO
4. Captain David M. Davis: Longview, WA
5. Ken Fankhauser: Anchorage, AK
6. Latonya Ford: Denver, CO
7. Lieutenant Matthew Jensen: Santa Maria, CA
8. Alan Jermyn: Gulfport, MS
9. Lieutenant Sean Kelsey: Palm Desert, CA
10. Matthew Linville: Mount Air, NC
11. Captain Marcos Marquez: West Twin Falls, ID
12. Sergeant Greg Maxwell: La Marque, TX
13. Leilan McNally: Indianapolis, IN
14. Captain Kenneth Perine: San Diego, CA
15. Jason Perkins: Fairfield, CA
16. Daniel Perry: Pittsburg, KS
17. Saundra Shearon: Cleburne, TX
18. Captain Kyle Smith: Spokane, WA
19. Captain Marcelino Soriano: San Francisco, CA
20. Captain Jerome Spalding: Tulsa, OK
21. Tiga Stevenson: St. Cloud, MN
22. Caleb Stokes: Indianapolis, IN
23. Darrel Tureskis: Springfield, IL
24. Dustin Walsh: Lodi, CA
The Salvation Army bell ringer in my area happens to be #11 Captain Marcos Marquez in West Twin Falls Idaho. He not only withstood the cold, but helped make every passerby happy. Captain Marquez went the extra step bringing his guitar with him so he could serenade people into charity. Although my local bell ringing hero didn’t win the competition he sure opened some eyes in our neighborhood.
The Winner of the 2011 Salvation Army Bell Ringing Contest is…..Darrell Tureskis in Springfield Illinois!!! Darrell almost doubled the world record by standing ringing his bell for a whopping 60 hours! They had a digital clock counting down the minutes of his success. The contest surely would have continued longer except the Salvation Army gave them all a courtesy of closing it down after 60 consecutive hours. Not to mention the fact that the Salvation Army doesn’t like to ring on Sundays. Though our hero’s are cold they succeeded in opening the hearts, eyes, and appetites of Americans Nationwide.
None of the competitors were allowed to eat. They could drink water, Gatorade, and coffee other drinks like energy drinks or protein shakes were forbidden. They were given a 10 minute break every few hours. Other than the few short breaks these great Samaritans were on their feet and ringing a bell continuously. Thank you Salvation Army Bell Ringers for your good deeds, you have helped more people than you realize. If you didn’t get to donate to a red kettle Salvation Army good Samaritan you can donate directly to the Salvation Army at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=206
Source: Personal Witness
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Salvationarmyusa.org