Salvation Army captain jingles 36 hours straight

[Elmore Furth]

I personally try never to pass a Salvation Army kettle without putting something in it.

I was poor once and the kindness of strangers was something I cannot forget.

He rang in the morning. He rang at night. He rang in the sunshine. He rang in the snow. For 36 hours, Salvation Army Corps Capt. Kyle Smith stood by his red kettle and rang his bell. By doing so, he shattered the previous world bell-ringing record of 30.5 hours.

Smith took his post at 5 a.m. Friday in front of the Northpointe Walmart store and didn’t leave until 5 p.m. Saturday. He borrowed his 12-year-old son’s insulated boots and spread a carpet remnant next to the kettle to provide warmth and cushion for his feet from the cold concrete.

When the sun came up, Smith’s spirits lifted. His son returned, saying, “If you’re going for 36 hours, I’m staying with you. I won’t wimp out on you.” He kept his word and got to see his dad shatter the record at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Smith said the Salvation Army motto of “Heart to God, Hand to Man,” is what inspires him. “When people support us, they also are the hands of God to our community.”

And the community responded to Smith’s efforts. While the final count had yet to be tallied, Smith said he’s confident that he raised at least $7,000 during his bell-ringing marathon.



Salvation Army captain jingles 36 hours straight