Tyler Salvation Army Tries to Break World Record for Bell Ringing
Posted/updated on: December 3, 2013 at 12:10 pm
TYLER — The Salvation Army Tyler will participate today in the 2013 Salvation Army World Record Bell Ringing Contest. The contest will begin at 11:00 thsi morning at Walgreen’s on Rieck Rd. and South Broadway. According to a news release, bells around the world will begin ringing at the same time and continue until the last man is standing. The Salvation Army Tyler is the only corps in the southern U.S.A. to participate. Volunteers are needed to help witness the contest. Shifts in 2 to 4 hour increments are available.
December 3rd is known around the world as Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. Salvation Army volunteer Andre Thompson has chosen his method of giving. He will give every second of his time in an attempt to win the 2013 Salvation Army World Record Bell Ringing Contest as well as raise money and awareness of The Salvation Army and its many programs and services.
In 2011, Caleb Stokes and Leilan McNally made bell ringing history. The men rang the iconic bells outside of the Emmis Communications Building on Monument Circle in Indianapolis for 60 straight hours. Along with Darrell Tureskis, another contestant in Springfield, Ill., the two men set the new world record. This inaugural World Record of Bell Ringing was put on by The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters as part of a national effort to celebrate and recognize 120 years of The Salvation Army Red Kettle. Last year the record was broken by reigning co-champion Tureskis and two ringers in New Mexico and California who put down their bells after 80 hours of continuous ringing.
As this year’s contest continues, the community will be encouraged to make donations online at http://www.onlineredkettle.org/AndreThompson or at the kettle. Those interested in volunteering may contact Chantel Millin at 903-592-4361.
