TRI-CITIES, Wash. – The Salvation Army in Pasco needs You! According to the organization, the sweet sound of bells ringing around the country was started in 1891 by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee.
The bells have fallen relatively silent around our area, and Salvation Army local leaders want to change that. Every year, volunteers with the iconic red bucket are seen around town. This year, they need volunteers more than ever, according to Pasco Salvation Army’s Roberto Guerrero.
“I just tell you today, I only have one volunteer sign up for a three hour shift,” said Guerrero. “So the rest of the shifts are open. I don’t have anybody there.”
According to Guerrero, the organization has 18 locations around the Tri-Cities, including all Yokes locations. He said the number of volunteers has never been where they would like them to be.
“I think we haven’t been asking in a way for volunteers in the past,” he said. “It was just more word of mouth. It’s just more needed that we need volunteers at the kettle.”
According to Guerrero, a volunteer brings in between 50% and 60% more income to the organization than anyone paid to ring the bells.
Fen Simmons a volunteer on his first shift was out ringing his bell at the Kennewick Yokes. He said he heard about the shortage of volunteers and decided he needed to help.
“People are in need,” said Simmons. “It’s fun to see the people that are so giving. It’s just so heartwarming to see the generosity that people have.”
Simmons signed up through the Salvation Army website and said it was as easy as logging into the website, setting up an account and choosing the days and shifts to volunteer.
He said the shifts are three hours. Simmons said you can bring a chair to sit by the kettle or stand.
Guerrero said he’d done a shift before ringing the bell and said it was a rewarding experience.
“You know that you made a change for somebody,” he said. “You know that you probably provided meals for a few families. You know that you helped a kid this Christmas.”