LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Salvation Army Faces 25% Drop in Volunteer Bell Ringers as Washington's Need for Assistance Soars
"I don't think people really know what these red kettles are all about, what these donations go for and how many lives they can change," Tracie Dalke said as she rang a bell outside the Lynnwood Walmart.
Dalke knows first hand the change the iconic red kettles can bring.
"I was in addiction, committing crimes, doing horrible things, running amok on the streets," she said.
Tracie was an addict for 10 years until the Salvation Army helped her get sober.
"Going from the depths of darkness where there was no hope to being able to turn around and give back to the program that saved my life is a beautiful thing," she said.
The Salvation Army has been seeing a decline in bell ringers for more than a decade but it has worsened since the pandemic. Last year, more than 600,000 people in Washington, Montana and Idaho depended on the organization for help, including 56,000 children.
The organization if hoping to raise $3.9 million this holiday season. It's money that will be used throughout the year.
"Individuals, families, housed, unhoused are all dealing with the realities of life all year," said Major Roy Wild. "The Salvation Army steps in to be a safety net for those individuals dealing with food disparity, dealing with addiction."
Perhaps the greatest gift Tracie has received is a loving relationship. She has been with her partner and fellow bell ringer Mitchell Jump for six years. She has been sober for eight years
Jump hopes the Salvation Army's bells never go silent and never stop changing lives.
"I think I can speak for the both of us when I say our lives are nothing that we expected," said Jump. "It's way beyond what we thought it would be getting sober."