30-Year Bell Ringing Volunteer Attends Red Kettle Kickoff
*30-year bell-ringing volunteer Eleanor keeps warm in The Salvation Army VIP tent at Cadillac Square
Crowds are huddled shoulder-to-shoulder in Detroit’s Cadillac square. The wind sends an icy chill through them, but they continue to sing Christmas carols among the glittering lights. On stage The Salvation Army Brass Band Ensemble leads them playing Jingle Bells.
On Friday, November 17, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit kicked off its 2023 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign at Detroit’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Volunteers, board members, and their families enjoyed hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and Pizza courtesy of The Salvation Army’s Official Pizza Partner, Buddy’s Pizza.
Also braving the cold was a 30-year bell-ringing volunteer named Eleanor. She began ringing in 1990 and continued to do so until the pandemic. When asked why she did it, the answer came quickly, followed by her infectious laugh:
“Because I love it! And I love people. It’s a good cause. I have a lot of family who would come visit me the day I was ringing the bell.”
*The Salvation Army Brass Band Ensemble plays Christmas tunes on stage
Though she has been a bell ringer for 30 years, this was her first year attending the Red Kettle Kickoff event. Surrounded by Christmas lights, music and her family and friends she said she will never forget the event.
The ceremony began with WOMC’s J.J. Johnson, Jason Raithel and followed by JoAnne Purtan, Wes Pikula, Chief Brand Officer at Buddy’s Pizza, Dr. Kurt Tech, Metro Detroit Advisory Board Chair and Major Toni Dorrell,Metro Detroit Area Commander.
*left: Eleanor rings bells at Cadillac square, right: Carolers Capt. Dalvius King, Envoy Esther Lewis and Captain Heidi Strand
Finally carols were led on stage by Capt. Dalvius King, Envoy Esther Lewis and Captain Heidi Strand while The Salvation Army Brass Band Ensemble played along, then countdown began for the lighting of the Tallest Red Kettle.
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s 2023 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign launched at the beginning of October and will continue till the end of January. This year’s fundraising goal is $7.9 million to help support communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.
The campaign underscores the importance of aiding neighbors in need who may be without necessities like food and shelter during the Christmas season and beyond.
If you have been inspired by Eleanor’s enthusiasm for bellringing, you can volunteer as a bell ringer at registertoring.com. Or donate to Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s virtual red kettle.