Salvation Army Bell Ringers: Spreading Holiday Cheer With A 'Merry Christmas

can salvation army bell ringers say merry christmas

The Salvation Army's bell ringers have been at the centre of controversy in the past, with some sources claiming that they are instructed not to say Merry Christmas. However, this is a myth, as the Salvation Army's official instructions for bell-ringers do not give a specific order regarding greeting donors. While some volunteers choose to say \Happy Holidays\, others opt for Merry Christmas. The choice of greeting depends on the individual volunteer, and the Salvation Army does not have an official policy on the matter. This debate over the appropriate holiday greeting has led to some unfortunate incidents, with volunteers being attacked for their choice of words. Nevertheless, the bell ringers play a crucial role in raising funds for the Salvation Army's charitable programs, and their presence during the holiday season has become a beloved tradition.

Characteristics Values
Greeting "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas"
Instructions No specific order on greeting
Training Asked to say "Merry Christmas" but not required
Volunteer age 16 years and above
Shifts 2-4 hours
Donations No solicitation required

shunoutdoor

Salvation Army bell ringers are instructed to say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'

The Salvation Army's bell ringers are not explicitly instructed to say "Happy Holidays" and avoid saying "Merry Christmas". In fact, the Salvation Army's instructions for bell-ringers do not give a specific order on the matter; a tutorial video by the group allows volunteers to tell donors "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".

However, there have been instances where bell ringers have been attacked for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". In one incident, a volunteer in Phoenix named Kristina Vindiola said that she was attacked because she greeted a passerby with "Happy Holidays". In another incident, Rev. Jamie Wolfe, who was volunteering for the organization in Roseville, California, said that he was attacked for saying "Merry Christmas".

The "debate" over the proper holiday greeting has sparked conversations about the so-called "'War on Christmas'. A 2012 Pew Research Center survey found that 42% of Americans believe stores should greet customers with "Merry Christmas" during the holiday season, while 12% prefer less religious phrases such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings", and 46% say it doesn't matter which greeting is used.

The Salvation Army relies on donations raised through its Red Kettle campaign to serve millions of people in need each year. The funds are used to provide meals, clothing, shelter, food, toys, financial assistance, and counselling year-round. Bell ringers play a crucial role in attracting donations and are asked to be friendly and gracious to passersby. While there is no specific instruction on what greeting to use, the goal is to encourage generosity and raise funds to support those in need.

shunoutdoor

There is no specific order about what greeting to use

The Salvation Army's instructions for bell-ringers do not give a specific order on what greeting to use. While some sources claim that bell-ringers are instructed to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", others state that there is no policy regarding the greeting. In reality, a tutorial video by the Salvation Army allows volunteers to say either “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”.

The debate over the proper holiday greeting has led to some heated discussions and even physical altercations. In one instance, a volunteer in Phoenix, Kristina Vindiola, reported being attacked for saying "Happy Holidays". Vindiola was approached by a woman who asked if she believed in God and then insisted that she should say "Merry Christmas" before physically assaulting her.

While there may be differing opinions on the preferred greeting, the Salvation Army's bell-ringing campaign is an important part of their fundraising efforts. Bell-ringers are volunteers who stand beside the iconic red kettles and collect donations from passersby. The money raised through these campaigns goes towards providing meals, clothing, shelter, food, toys, financial assistance, and counselling to those in need.

The bell-ringing tradition began in 1891 with Captain Joseph McFee, who was inspired by the “Simpson's pot” in Liverpool, England, where charitable donations were collected. Today, the Salvation Army relies on these donations to serve millions of people each year.

Whether bell-ringers say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", the important thing is to be gracious and friendly to encourage passersby to give generously. A warm greeting and a smile can make a big difference in the amount of money raised. Ultimately, the goal is to spread the spirit of the season and help those in need.

shunoutdoor

Incidents of violence have occurred over the use of 'Happy Holidays'

The debate over whether to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition, with the discussion often taking on political and religious dimensions. While some prefer the former greeting, others opt for the latter to be more inclusive of different religious faiths. Unfortunately, this debate has, at times, escalated beyond words, with several incidents of violence occurring as a result.

In one notable incident, a Salvation Army bell ringer, Kristina Vindiola, was physically assaulted for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." The incident took place in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2013, and gained significant media attention. Vindiola reported that an unidentified woman approached her and asked if she believed in God before punching her and stating that she should have said "Merry Christmas." Unfortunately, law enforcement was unable to identify the assailant, and no arrest was made.

Another incident involving a Salvation Army volunteer occurred in Roseville, California, in 2017. Reverend Jamie Wolfe reported that he was attacked by an individual for saying "Merry Christmas" while volunteering for the organization. He described a physical altercation in which he feared for his life.

These incidents highlight the unfortunate reality of violence that can stem from seemingly innocuous greetings. It is important to recognize that regardless of the phrase used, wishing someone well during the holiday season should always be met with kindness and respect.

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many, and it is not uncommon for domestic violence incidents to increase during this period. Various factors, such as financial stress, proximity to abusers, and increased drug or alcohol consumption, can contribute to heightened tensions and incidents of abuse. It is crucial that victims of domestic violence have access to support and resources during this time and that friends and family remain vigilant and supportive.

shunoutdoor

Bell ringers are not asked to solicit donations

The Salvation Army's bell ringers are not asked to solicit donations. Their job is to simply ring the bell and say "thank you" to passersby, allowing the sound of the bell to act as a subtle reminder of those in need during the holiday season. The bell is an effective tool in attracting donations, as people often instinctively reach into their pockets or purses to drop some change or bills into the pot. The act of donating is made easier by the presence of the bell, as it creates a sense of social shame if one does not give.

The bell ringers are not required to ask for donations, but their presence and the sound of the bell are powerful tools in encouraging people to give. The bell ringers themselves also play a role in the success of the donation drives. A warm greeting and a smile from a bell ringer can encourage passersby to give more generously. The dedication and loyalty of the bell ringers, many of whom are volunteers, are crucial to the success of the Salvation Army's fundraising efforts.

The Salvation Army relies on the money raised through these donation drives to serve millions of people in need each year. The funds are used to provide meals, clothing, shelter, toys, financial assistance, and counselling to families and individuals facing hardship. The bell ringers' role, therefore, extends beyond simply collecting donations; they are ambassadors of the Salvation Army's mission to help those in need.

While there has been some debate over whether bell ringers should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays," the Salvation Army itself does not have an official policy on this matter. The organization's instructions for bell ringers do not include a specific order regarding greetings, and bell ringers are free to use either phrase. However, during training, bell ringers are asked to say "Merry Christmas" when they volunteer, though it is not mandatory. The main focus of the training is to ensure that bell ringers are gracious and polite to the public at all times, regardless of the greeting they choose to use.

shunoutdoor

Shifts for bell ringers are typically 2-4 hours long

Shifts for Salvation Army bell ringers typically last between 2 and 4 hours. Volunteers are not asked to solicit donations actively; instead, they are instructed to ring the bell and say "thank you" to passersby. The bell acts as a magnet for donations, with the sound triggering a sense of nostalgia and charitable feelings in those who hear it.

The Salvation Army relies on these donations to fund its charitable programs, which include providing meals, clothing, shelter, toys, financial assistance, and counselling to those in need. The annual Red Kettle Campaign, which runs from mid-November to Christmas Eve, is a crucial fundraising period for the organization.

There has been some controversy surrounding the greetings used by Salvation Army bell ringers, with some sources claiming that they are instructed to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." However, the organization itself denies this, stating that bell ringers can use either greeting and are simply instructed to be gracious at all times. Unfortunately, this debate has led to real-world incidents, including assaults on bell ringers who used one greeting or the other.

Frequently asked questions

There is no explicit policy prohibiting Salvation Army bell ringers from saying "Merry Christmas." While some sources claim that bell ringers are instructed to say "Happy Holidays", others maintain that they are encouraged to say "Merry Christmas." Ultimately, it is up to the individual bell ringer to choose their greeting, and they are not required to solicit donations.

The debate centers around the so-called "War on Christmas", where some people believe that using more inclusive greetings like "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" is an attempt to secularize the holiday season.

Yes, in 2013, a volunteer named Kristina Vindiola claimed that she was assaulted by a woman in Phoenix, Arizona, for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Four years later, a similar incident was reported, where Rev. Jamie Wolfe claimed he was attacked for saying "Merry Christmas."

Bell ringers stand beside the iconic Salvation Army Christmas kettles and collect donations from passersby. They typically ring bells to subtly remind people of those in need during the holiday season. The money raised is used to provide meals, clothing, shelter, toys, financial assistance, and other essential services to those in need.

Individuals interested in becoming bell ringers can sign up through their local Salvation Army branch or online. Most shifts are around two hours long, and volunteers are not required to solicit donations. Bell ringers are encouraged to be friendly and greet people with a smile, a warm greeting, and a polite "hello."

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment