Salvation Army Bell Ringers How it All Began and Local Schedule

As a part of an Alamogordo Christmas one of the familiar signs and sounds of the holiday season is the sound of a ringing bell accompanied by the sight of a Salvation Army bell ringer at a red kettle. The bells and kettles will be out in force when The Salvation Army launches its annual Red Kettle campaign. This year’s campaign has enthusiastic bell ringers to include pups and people at Albertsons.

The Red Kettle debuted in San Francisco in 1891 to fund Christmas Dinner for 1,000 poor and destitute but bells were not rung until 1900. Salvation Army Officer Cadet Amelia Kunkle (1884 - 1984) was a kettle worker in New York City. Aged 16, in her navy blue uniform, red ribbon-trimmed bonnet and skirts scraping the sidewalk, she waited patiently for donations.

When I first stood by the kettle to ’keep the pot a-boiling,’ it was a bleak, cold, damp day. Girl-cadets wore long, black cotton stockings and rubbers over regular shoes; rubbers resembled slippers but were unlined and not high-topped like modern galoshes or boots.

“Standing on newspapers helped block the dampness and penetrating cold. I was in The Battery, near Wall Street. Our kettle was by the entrance, or exit, to the ‘El’ which brought droves of businessmen to and from the financial district. Some contributed to The Salvation Army kettle; most passed by.

“In those days, the average donation was a nickel or a dime; sometimes a quarter; occasionally, a dollar. One afternoon, donations totaled $18; very good for a four-hour stint! Most days, I was disappointed that people ignored me and my kettle.”

One day, Amelia complained to Major Chadwell, one of her Administrators. He suggested she “find a stick and bang on the kettle to draw attention.” When she disapproved, he replied “Well, then, Cadet Kunkle, you’ll certainly solve that problem all by yourself before long!”

Sure enough, the next day, Amelia found just what she wanted in a nearby Woolworth’s - a small bell with a short, dark wooden handle, not more than six inches in overall length. As she picked it up, the little bell gave a slight tinkle. It cost just 10 cents.

Amelia rang the bell on her next kettle duty. More people stopped; she greeted each contribution with a cheery “God Bless You” and “Merry Christmas.” Her idea spread like wildfire; soon, all the cadets were ringing bells, raising funds for The Salvation Army's Christmas Dinner. Thanks to Cadet Amelia Kunkle, the peal of a Salvation Army Red Kettle worker’s hand bell is synonymous with Christmas giving.

Today, bell ringers of all ages and backgrounds continue to brave the cold and the crowds at Christmastime, united in their resolve to help the less fortunate, people who might otherwise be forgotten but shall never go unserved. Check out the local bell ringing location and help others with your spare change.

2023 Christmas Kettle Locations 2 Hr. Bell Ringer Sign-Ups for information Mike Beauchamp 575-443-0845/805-755-3643 to be on the Master Schedule or to donate… 

-Mon. Dec. 11-

Albertsons​ 10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-12pm Mel & Pat Arce GBC; 12-6pm Open

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Tues. Dec. 12-

Albertsons​10-2pm Albertsons‘ Staff -Leandra?;2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm Mary Noyes’ Bible Study- TWC

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-12pm Mel & Pat Arce GBC; 12-6pm Open

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Wed. Dec. 13-

Albertsons​10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-12pm Mel & Pat Arce GBC; 12-6pm Open

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Thur. Dec. 14-

Albertsons​10-2pm Albertsons‘ Staff -Leandra?;2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-5 Open; 5-7pm Leo Lovett Alamogordo Rotary

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Fri. Dec. 15-​

Albertsons​-10-12pm Iron Heart GBC; 12-6pm- Open

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-12pm Mel & Pat Arce GBC; 12-6pm Open

Walmart NeighMar -10-2pm; 2-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Open

-Sat. Dec. 16-​

Albertsons​10-6pm White Sands Rotary -Gabriella Eaton

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-1pm Open; 1-6pm- Amy Barela County Commissioner & J.P. Barela from 54 Towing

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth

Walmart NeighMar -10-12pm​Iron Heart GBC; 12-6pm Open​​

-Sun. Dec. 17-

Albertsons​-10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Open

Big Lots -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -1-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth

Walmart SC-GD -10-12pm Craig & Sue Danekas-Al Rotary/Casa Y Tierra; 12-1-Open; 1-6pmCottonwood Fellowship Youth

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Monday, Dec. 18-​

Albertsons​-10-12pm Iron Heart GBC; 12-5:30pmThe French Brothers

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-5 Open; 5-7pm Leo Lovett Alomogordo Rotary

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Tuesday, 12-19-

Albertsons​-10-2pm Albertsons‘ Staff -Leandra?;2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm Pioneer Bank Leo Lovett

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Wed. Dec. 20-​

Albertsons​-10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Thur. Dec. 21-

Albertsons​10-2pm Albertsons‘ Staff -Leandra?;2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Carl Miller -Zia

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Fri. Dec. 22-

Albertsons​-10-12pm Iron Heart GBC; 12-6pmOpen

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

-Sat. Dec. 23-

Albertsons​10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Open

Big Lots -10-6pm

Hobby Lobby -10-6pm​

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -10-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth

Walmart SC-GD -10-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth​​​​

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm Open

-Sun. Dec. 24- -Last Day of Kettles

Albertsons​10-2pm Open; 2:00-4pm Iron Heart GBC; 4-6pm Open

Big Lots -10-6pm

Walgreens -10-6pm

Walmart SC-PD -1-6pm Cottonwood  Fellowship Youth

Walmart SC-GD -1-6pm Cottonwood Fellowship Youth​​​​

Walmart NeighMar -10-6pm

Mon. Dec. 25​​ Happy Birthday Jesus​​​ Rev. 12-7-23 5pm 2

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