Ringing in the season
Jasmani Butler, a bell ringer for The Salvation Army of High Point and mother of a 1-year-old boy, works to ensure that everyone in the High Point community can afford to celebrate Christmas, because she understands what it’s like to seek help in the holiday season.
By Andrew V. Faust Dec. 12, 2011 HIGH POINT, N.C. - The sound of a cold brass bell resonates throughout the shopping center’s crowded parking lot, as customers bundled in their winter coats walk swiftly to escape the chilly December air. One by one, customers briefly exchange holiday greetings with a smiling woman who stands beside a red bucket enthusiastically ringing a bell outside the store’s entrance. Eagerly awaiting the next customer to pass, she stands quietly beneath the covered sidewalk and continues to ring her bell. |
Jasmani Butler, a bell ringer for The Salvation Army and mother of a 1-year-old boy, rings her bell to ensure that every member of the High Point community can celebrate Christmas, even if they can’t afford to buy gifts -- including herself.
This year, Jasmani’s son Jabari is on The Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots holiday assistance list, which is a program that provides gifts for children who may not receive them otherwise.
A gift for the community
Each day at 10 a.m., no matter the weather conditions, Jasmani begins her ten-hour shifts outside of Hobby Lobby on Eastchester Drive and other nearby locations, where she estimates meeting more than 200 customers every day.
“I’m friendly to everybody, because that’s just me,” she says and laughs. “They really like me out here at Hobby Lobby, because I open the doors for the customers.”
For more than a month she has participated in The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Program, in which she rings her bell and wears the well-known red apron, as part of a holiday tradition that started in 1891.
“I’m friendly to everybody, because that’s just me,” she says and laughs. “They really like me out here at Hobby Lobby, because I open the doors for the customers.”
For more than a month she has participated in The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Program, in which she rings her bell and wears the well-known red apron, as part of a holiday tradition that started in 1891.
Continuing this tradition, Jasmani is one of the thousands of bell ringers nationwide that aim to raise money to assist more than 4-and-a-half million people at Christmas.
“The community supports it 100 percent,” Jasmani says, as she rings her bell. “A lot of customers come out and thank me for standing out here and ringing the bell for the kids that don’t have anything, so they can have a good Christmas.” However, her work reaches far beyond a kind spirit and red bucket. |
For Jasmani, helping with this program is just one way to show her appreciation for the help that she has received from The Salvation Army in the past, in hopes to share the same assistance to others.
“So many people out here can’t afford things, but they can go to The Salvation Army for help,” Jasmani says as she looks across the parking lot. “I’ve been there, and I know that they can help a lot with living and money situations, and then at Christmastime when people don’t have the money for their kids to have gifts, they’ll help them.”
According to Captain Tony Perez, commanding officer of The Salvation Army in High Point, his organization is able to make a lasting impact on the community, due to programs like the Red Kettle Program.
“We have programs to help the community all year round,” says Tony, who has worked for The Salvation Army 18 years. “During the holiday season we provide at least two gifts per family. Usually it's clothes and a toy, and a canned ham for Christmas.”
“So many people out here can’t afford things, but they can go to The Salvation Army for help,” Jasmani says as she looks across the parking lot. “I’ve been there, and I know that they can help a lot with living and money situations, and then at Christmastime when people don’t have the money for their kids to have gifts, they’ll help them.”
According to Captain Tony Perez, commanding officer of The Salvation Army in High Point, his organization is able to make a lasting impact on the community, due to programs like the Red Kettle Program.
“We have programs to help the community all year round,” says Tony, who has worked for The Salvation Army 18 years. “During the holiday season we provide at least two gifts per family. Usually it's clothes and a toy, and a canned ham for Christmas.”
This year, the organization is providing more than 800 canned hams to families in the community. During the rest of the year, The Salvation Army of High Point provides several services for local residents, including a food pantry, a rent and utility assistance program, a 68-bed emergency shelter and Shelter-Plus program for individuals who need long-term assistance, a Boys and Girls Club, and senior-living apartments. |
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The organization’s local focus on giving back to community is not a new concept. In fact, The Salvation Army has served the city of High Point for nearly 100 years.
“Each Salvation Army is tailored to the need of its location,” Tony says. “Our mission in High Point is to meet the needs of any individual, with hope and love in everything we do.”
A lasting impactThe Salvation Army of High Point’s efforts to bring cheer to the local community echoes throughout the city, just as the sound of ringing bells permeates shopping centers across the country.
By assisting nearly 1,000 members of the community this Christmas, including Jabari and Jasmani, the organization lives up to its mission of “doing the most good.” “I would enjoy doing this again... I really enjoy doing this,” Jasmani says while she tightly clasps her bell and holds the door open for a woman pushing a shopping cart. |
As the sun begins to disappear behind Hobby Lobby, casting frigid shadows throughout the parking lot, busy shoppers continue to encounter Jasmani’s loving nature and warm smile.
“I like the customers and being out here with people," she says, as she laughs and adjusts her thick brown coat. "If it could be a permanent job, I would do it."
In the same way The Salvation Army is helping provide Christmas gifts for Jabari, his mother’s gift to the community stretches beyond her friendly disposition and ringing bell.