WESLACO – The Salvation Army Red Kettle is a staple for the holiday season. Each year, rain or shine, someone is outside ringing their bell.

A couple of dollars, a handshake and a “God Bless You” are all part of the bell ringer’s day.

“Merry, merry, merry Christmas. God bless you,” bell ringer Paul Seeley said.

He’s been a bell ringer for two years with some fantastic memories.

“One of the most memorable times, two kettles filled with money and bringing it into a church,” he said.

This holiday season after years of being homeless, he attributes much of what he’s learned to bell ringing.

“The idea is the more that you are able to do for yourself, don’t forget to assist others,” he said.

He credits the Salvation Army for getting him out of his struggles and says he wanted to give back through bell ringing.

Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army, Captain Stephen Correira said the bell ringer is a huge part of the success of the Red Kettle campaign.

“A bell ringer’s job really is to greet people and to ring in hope and change in people’s lives, and to let them know that there is a real need here where we live in Hidalgo County,” he explained

Since 1901, the Red Kettle campaign has never lost that attention. This year over $160,000 was made by the bell ringers.

Capt. Correira had just one thing to say about that.

“On behalf of the Salvation Army, here in Hidalgo County, we want to say thank you so much for the assistance that you have offered and may God bless you and your families,” he said.