Bell Ringers Driven to Give Back
By: Michael Pickett
Updated: December 22, 2012
The Salvation Army bell ringers continue to brave the cold, encouraging others to donate to the kettle drive. But they're driven by their need to give back.
Jesse "Pappy" Mabee has been ringing the bell in Newburgh. It's his first year participating. He says he wanted to do it as a way to give back to the community that helped him while he recovered from an addiction.
"God brought me into a 12-step program, and it brought me closer to God. So, this is my way of helping God," he says.
Bruce Watkins is ringing bells for the third year. He says he helps the Salvation Army during the holidays because they helped him and his friends over the years.
"I was just starting out, money was tight, and I needed a few extra gifts under the tree for the kids,"
he says. "Not only have they helped me, they've helped other people I've known."
Some bell ringers also say they want to keep helping the Salvation Army after the kettle drive ends on Christmas Eve.
Jesse "Pappy" Mabee has been ringing the bell in Newburgh. It's his first year participating. He says he wanted to do it as a way to give back to the community that helped him while he recovered from an addiction.
"God brought me into a 12-step program, and it brought me closer to God. So, this is my way of helping God," he says.
Bruce Watkins is ringing bells for the third year. He says he helps the Salvation Army during the holidays because they helped him and his friends over the years.
"I was just starting out, money was tight, and I needed a few extra gifts under the tree for the kids,"
he says. "Not only have they helped me, they've helped other people I've known."
Some bell ringers also say they want to keep helping the Salvation Army after the kettle drive ends on Christmas Eve.
