Can He Do It? Salvation Army Major Hopes to Set 150-Hour Bell-Ringing Record

A Salvation Army major in Murrieta will muster all of his endurance and energy for a daunting task this week– attempting to set a new record for the longest continuous bell-ringing by an individual, 150 hours.

Maj. Marcelino “Butch” Soriano, 47, said he’s going for the record in celebration of the Salvation Army’s 150 years in existence and its 124th annual Red Kettle Campaign, during which bell-ringers seek donations outside stores throughout the holiday season.

According to the nonprofit, the nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars collected support a range of programs, including free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for the needy.

Beginning at 4 a.m Monday, Soriano positioned himself in front of the Walmart at 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, where he intends to stay until 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the Salvation Army.

“My goal is set for 150 hours because I’m excited to highlight the army’s upcoming anniversary in 2015,” he said. “I want to ring the bell for an hour to mark each year that the Salvation Army has been on the march, doing good for people around the world.”

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula is supporting the effort and will match all of Soriano’s kettle collections, up to $2,000, according to the Salvation Army. Pechanga is also providing him with a hat, coat, chair, heat lamp -- and massage therapist, if he needs one.

Soriano took part in a similar event last December, when he and two other Salvation Army workers -- one in Minnesota, the other in Texas -- jointly stayed on bell-ringing duty for 105 hours.

According to the Salvation Army’s contest rules, Soriano accrues five minutes of rest for every hour he rings his bell, which must be continuous. Organizers said he has to stand the entire time, and he can only eat, sit down, use the restroom or take a nap during his five-minute breaks. He can take a drink whenever he needs one, as long as it doesn’t interfere with bell-ringing.

Volunteers will step in and take over the bell whenever Soriano is on hiatus, according to the Salvation Army.

Spokeswoman Kathy Lovin said there will be no formal documentation of the record-setting attempt.

“He’s on the honor system, and we trust him to remain standing for the duration of the 150 hours, apart from the rest breaks he accrues,” she told City News Service.

– City News Service.