A need for a Christmas meal more than 100 years ago has turned into a staple of the holiday season.
On Nov. 15, the Salvation Army started its annual bell ringing fundraiser, with members in 19 locations throughout Duplin and Lenoir counties taking donations.
Salvation Army Capt. Curtis Kratz said the event was inspired by events in California more than a century ago.
“The bell ringing started in the early 1900s in San Francisco,” Kratz said. “There was a guy trying to raise money for a Christmas dinner, ringing a bell and holding a kettle pot, which was a symbol for cooking. Initially, the event helped people with food, but it has turned into a way to help us administratively for the year and give back to the community with events.”
Of the 19 stores with bell ringers, 15 are in Lenoir County, with four in Duplin County. Kinston has 14 stores, Wallace has three and Snow Hill and Beulaville have one each.
“A lot of the corporations are kind enough to allow us to collect donations there,” Kratz said. “Some won’t allow us to be there, but will help in other ways privately. We understand they can’t help every charity.”
The bell ringing season will conclude on Christmas Eve. Last year, $60,344.15 in donations was raised in the area, and $42,563 had been placed in buckets as of Monday.
Kratz says the money helps with the amount of events the Salvation Army can do in the local area.
“How much we can help in the community depends on how well we do here,” Kratz said. “If every citizen gave $1 a day, we would have $20,000, and that’s just in Kinston.”
Garry Jones, manager of Big Blue Store, said the Salvation Army has had a representative at the store for 25 years, and he is fine with them continuing to ring bells outside of the store.
“The Salvation Army has always bought things from us and worked with us,” Jones said. “We have no problem with them being out there. They don’t bother the customers; they just ring the bell.”
Terry Peralta volunteered this year to work as a bell ringer in Duplin County, but has done plenty of work in Kinston.
“Whenever they need me, I’m there,” Peralta said. “I’ve also been helping distribute toys and translating in Spanish. I’m happy to do this work for the church I’ve been a part of since I was born. My grandmother, mother and sister have all done work for the Salvation Army, and I’m just doing the same.”
Gloria Waters said she has enjoyed her interactions with citizens while bell ringing in Kinston.
“Most people are nice and donate pretty well,” Waters said. “I always smile and laugh, so I haven’t had a problem over the two years I’ve done this. I have a bucketful of money every night and I’m thankful for every person who’s donated.”
Yanncy Rose, who also works as a bell ringer in Kinston, said people who put money into her kettle understand how helpful it will be to those who need it.
“The money is basically being donated back into the community for needy families,” Rose said. “I don’t have to tell people what the money is for; they see the kettle and know it’s going to a great cause.”
Reginald Hardy, another Kinston bell ringer, says the amount of money doesn’t matter per person, because it will still help others.
“It doesn’t matter what they give,” Hardy said. “Every little bit counts.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.