MARION (WSIL) -- A long time bell ringer and contributor for the Salvation Army, is stepping down this year because of the risks of Covid-19.
"Thank you to everyone out there who has donated to my kettle and I'm sorry I'm not going be out there this year," says James Windings, Volunteer Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army.
James Windings has been a Volunteer Bell Ringer for the Salavation Army of ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois for 8 years.
"Everyday that he rings. The kettles, I'd say the average is about 370 dollars. Some days it was 325 other days it was 425," says Cami Horn, Social Services Manager for the Salvation Army.
Windings made the tough decision to not bell ring this year after losing his father in law, Samuel Walker Tucker, to COVID-19.
"He was a navy veteran, he worked at the VA hospital. He was a really good guy. I took care of him for awhile, I miss him everyday," says Windings.
Windings says that he will miss making people smile but he needs to protect his family. "I dance, I sung, I played music. I just, I made everybody happy. That's what I wanted to do and I knew where the donations were going. It's for a good cause."
Social Services Manager Cami Horn says they have big shoes to fill and are asking for folks to consider ringing or donating in James honor.
"When we have a person at that Ketlle, it's usually between 40 and 60 dollars an hour that is raised. when someone is like James, very happy and full of the Christmas spirit and making people smile. The average for a kettle without someone there for the entire day is about 39 cents," explains Horn.
Cami Horn says they have many ways to donate this year including touchless pay and a virtual kettle. They're also looking for volunteers and businesses for counter kettles.
For more information on how you can help click .
