Ringing the Bell
Ringing the Bell
Guys On The Green
Bell Ringers Sound Off
The holiday season is near and while many Bakersfield residents prepare for food, shopping and vacations from work and school, a handful of generous locals will add one more duty to their busy to-do lists by donating their time to The Salvation Army, ringing bells in front of businesses around town. Bakersfield Life gathered four of these people to discuss why they do it and why they support The Salvation Army.
Andrew Heglund
Attorney - Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb & Kimball
Adolph A. Gonzales III
President/Broker - Millennium One Mortgage, Millennium One Financial, Millennium One Real Estate
Scott Gray
Co-Owner - Business Initiatives
Charles W. Doremus
Broker Associate - Karpe Real Estate Center
Q How many years have you been ringing the bell?
Scott Gray – The fi rst time I rang bells for The Salvation Army was seven years ago. At that time, I participated through Rotary East. Last year, I was involved with a terrifi c men’s bible study group and we rang in front of Vons.
Andrew Heglund – This will be my second year.
Adolph Gonzales III – I have been ringing the bell for four years.
Chuck Doremus – I’ve been involved in this program for 15- plus years.
Q How many hours do you spend in front of a store during the holiday season?
Scott Gray – For the ringing, I invest an hour at a time. I will ring a few times throughout the year at different locations. Last year, Shaffer and Julia – my two children – and I started doing kettle pickups during November and December. This is a great way for them to be involved with the community by donating their time and assisting The Army. We enjoy our time together and they like meeting the other bell ringers.
Andrew Heglund – Last year, I rang the bell for an hour. I hope to be able to ring the bell more this year.
Adolph Gonzales III – Ideally, I like to ring for a few hours and then take a break. A lot of times, though, we don’t get enough volunteers to create a rotation so I’ve rang for eight hours straight and then go out and do it again the next day.
Chuck Doremus – I spend 10 hours. I ring with my Valley Baptist Church bible study class, the Bakersfi eld South Rotary Club and The Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Q What does it mean to you personally to be a bell ringer?
Scott Gray – For me it is an awesome opportunity to interact with the public. I love this time of year; you can see people transform.
People make time for each other. There is an awareness of what it means to make a difference for others. I get to experience generosity and appreciation in action.
Andrew Heglund – The Salvation Army does so many wonderful things to help our community like utility assistance, food baskets and youth programs to name a few. And the Christmas Kettle program is the largest way that The Salvation Army raises money to continue these programs for the following year. I’m glad to be able to do my part to help The Salvation Army continue to serve those in need in our community.
Adolph Gonzales III – It helps me stay connected to others around me. A lot of times I can get wrapped up in my own affairs and worries and I can forget that someone else may need a little help or encouragement.
Chuck Doremus – It gives me an opportunity to show public support for the work of The Salvation Army
Q Are there any interesting stories you can tell from bell ringing?
Scott Gray – Without fail, I will hear at least one story in an hour of ringing of how The Army made a difference in someone’s life.
Whether it is assistance with drug or alcohol challenges, a utility payment being taken care of, food being provided at a great time of need or how someone came to know Jesus Christ through The Salvation Army’s aid. We have one family that donates every time they go shopping because their son was adopted from a Salvation Army children’s home. The Army does such good work and this is a time when people whose lives have been changed by it get to say thank you.
Andrew Heglund – It was refreshing to see how many parents were encouraging their children to give to the kettles.
Adolph Gonzales III – It’s always fun bell ringing – you never know who will stop by and start up a conversation. We almost always have someone thanking us for the work we’ve done and how they were helped by The Salvation Army at one point in their lives.
It feels really good to be part of an organization with those types of life-changing moments.
Chuck Doremus – There are stories ranging from contributors saying, “The Salvation Army helped me get back on my feet when I was down,” and others saying, “The Salvation Army has given sobriety to my husband. Thank you!” Never a year passes without people expressing their gratitude.
Q What is the importance for the community to give back during the holiday season?
Scott Gray – Simply stated, people need our help! It gives me great pleasure knowing that I am serving God through serving others.
There is always a need and our community is incredible the way we step up and assist people. We never know when there will be a time that each of us is in need whether that looks like food, fi nancial support, counseling or prayer. I fi rmly believe that one person can make a difference. If you can give money, please give it. If you can provide time, then please give that. You will defi nitely be making a difference and impacting lives positively.
Andrew Heglund – The government can do and should only do so much to help those in need in our community. It’s up to us as citizens to do more to help those who have truly reached the end of their rope and need someone to reach down and help them up. Especially during these diffi cult fi nancial times, it is important for us to remember that there are some who are struggling to pay their bills, feed their children and provide the basics for their families – not because they’re lazy or don’t want to work but because they’re in a low spot in their lives. We tend to think of helping others only during Christmas, but we should strive to help others all year round.
Adolph Gonzales III – The importance for the community to give back during the holiday season is to bring a sense of closeness, compassion and love. Depending on uncontrollable circumstances, one day you may be on the other end. It feels good to know there are people who care.
Chuck Doremus – Scripture says in 1 John 3:17: “But if a man has enough to live on and yet when he sees his brother in need shuts up his heart against him, how can it be said that the love for God dwells in him?”
Q What are you looking forward to this holiday season?
Andrew Heglund – Last year, my one-year-old son spent a few minutes ringing the bell with me. Since he’s older now (and will probably be easier to manage), I’d like to begin a tradition with my son of ringing the bell every year.
Adolph A. Gonzales III – Helping children and families in need. It is a tremendous blessing to be able to be part of helping.
Scott Gray – Time spent with family and friends. The joy of helping the community through the work of The Army. How could I not mention the snow fights on Chester Avenue?
Chuck Doremus – Meeting new people and hearing words of appreciation for the work of The Army from them. Also, I look forward to being able to express appreciation to the businesses that still allow The Army to ring bells in front of their stores.
Q Are you involved with The Salvation Army’s bell ringing at the holidays for work or for personal satisfaction?
Andrew Heglund – I am involved in the Salvation Army as a ministry.
Adolph A. Gonzales III – Personal Satisfaction.
Scott Gray – Personal satisfaction. The return I get from committing to this event is huge for me. I love being a part of something that is bigger than I am.
Chuck Doremus – I’m involved for personal duty and responsibility.
Q What enjoyment do you get from bell ringing?
Andrew Heglund – I enjoy being a part of what The Salvation Army stands for and representing that to our community. Seeing how many people take the time to stop at a kettle to donate for the cause gives me satisfaction knowing that our community appreciates its responsibility to help others.
Adolph A. Gonzales III – Seeing changes in people’s faces from busy and distant to aware and caring as they go about with their errands.
Scott Gray – I like sharing in other peoples’ giving. I like watching them get excited about giving. It doesn’t matter if the giving to the kettle is paper or coin, from a child or an adult, the smile on the faces of those giving makes my day.
Chuck Doremus – One of the special things that I get to see is how parents use this opportunity with their small children to teach them the joy and necessity of giving to help the less fortunate when they place their money in the red kettles. I always let the children ring the bell when they show their curiosity as to what is going on.
Q What is the most significant thing that The Salvation Army does?
Andrew Heglund – The Salvation Army stands ready to help those going through difficult times not only with financial assistance but with true hope that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. And The Salvation Army is there to help not only at Christmas, but every day of the year.
Adolph A. Gonzales III – Hope. They are really good at showing that there is light at the other end of the tunnel and give practical support in the form of a compassionate ear, a box of food or getting the utilities back on so that a family can stay warm and have one less thing to worry about.
Scott Gray – I believe we make a difference in the lives of others. We do what we do in Christ’s name in order for the people to have better lives. The Salvation Army is an incredible organization that focuses on “Doing the Most Good.”
Chuck Doremus – The Salvation Army does many things. Just the presence of this organization shows that the community cares. The Army is involved in helping people who need food, clothing, shelter, help with utility bills, treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, help in time of natural disasters, a safe refuge when their lives are turned upside down. The Army coordinates its equipment and services with public safety agencies in times of disasters. The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center effectively helps those needing to break their dependency on drugs and alcohol.