Peninsula Salvation Army kicks off holiday bell-ringing

The start of the holiday season isn’t complete without the Salvation Army’s signature red kettle and bell ringing, reminding people to give.

The Monterey Peninsula Corps soft launched this year’s fundraiser Friday despite a volunteer shortage.

The corps started with a few grocery stores to give those shopping for Thanksgiving an opportunity to share their gratitude.

But because there aren’t enough volunteers, they’ve had to hire bell ringers.

“My hand is very sore. I don’t know if I’m still ringing or not,” said Randy Bernabe.

This is Bernabe’s first time working as a bell ringer, and he rang for four hours straight.

“My ears are ringing. I can hear the bell even though it’s not ringing right now,” Bernabe said.

But he said he’s happy to be helping the community.

“They just told me thanks for doing this. I just tell them thank you for their donations,” Bernabe said.

Bernabe gets paid as a bell ringer, not a lot, but a good incentive since the holiday season makes it challenging for the Salvation Army to recruit.

“Every year is a struggle to find volunteers to ring the bell, so much so that we have to resort to hiring people sometimes,” Army captain Paul Swain said.

400 volunteers have already signed up, and the Monterey Peninsula Corps is looking for another 1,500 to reach its goal this year.

“About $83,000 was raised last year for the Kettle. This year’s goal is $100,000,” Swain said.

And what’s raised in the community stays in the community.

“All of the money that comes in the red kettle helps to fund those programs, programs like the Good Samaritan House, which provides housing for people who are homeless in the community. Programs like the feeding programs here at Christmas time and year-round,” said Army Cadet Chelcee Humphrey.

Humphrey said she also benefited from being a bell ringer.

“I found out I was helping people by ringing the bell. It really instilled a sense worth in me,” Humphrey said.