Officer breaks world record for ringing
Albert Lea, Minn. – Captain Jim Brickson of The Salvation Army in Albert Lea, Minn., has broken the world record for bell ringing – 80 hours straight. He started ringing on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. and broke the record on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. (watch video of the big moment).
Brickson planned to continue ringing through the night. Though he broke the record, he didn’t set a new one because two other bell ringers are going for it as well – one in Tyler, Texas, the other in San Diego, Calif. They started ringing at the same time Brickson did on Tuesday.
Brickson is confident he won’t be the first to blink.
“I’m ready to go a few more days,” he said. “I feel good.”
Brickson and the other ringers have been receiving 5-minute breaks every hour, and that time can be accumulated. He’s spent most of his break time – about four hours – on showers and cat naps.
Brickson almost had to bow out of the competition Thursday morning around 4 a.m.
“I woke up from a nap and my legs were cramped up so bad that I almost fell over,” he said.
The leader of the Albert Lea Salvation drew massive applause from a crowd of 100-plus people at Northbridge Mall after he broke the record, validating his accomplishment: “It seems funny and a bit silly to bell ring for 80 hours,” he said, “but it’s not at all silly how many people in crisis The Salvation Army helps. This is worth it.”
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Northern Division serves more than 481,000 people a year through its local centers of operation. Last year, it helped 35,000 people in Freeborn County find hope and healing through basic needs assistance, hot meals, after-school programs, food pantry, seasonal assistance, spiritual care and more. Annual it serves 992,000 hot meals and provides 450,000 nights of shelter. More than 80,500 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide these and other services, from child daycare to senior housing. Learn more about Salvation Army volunteer opportunities or make an online donation.