Area man still trying to break bell-ringing record
Published 10:06 am Thursday, December 5, 2013
Capt. Jim Brickson of the Albert Lea Salvation Army skypes with his son, Jeff, who is in the military and stationed in Virginia. Jeff was unable to be home for the world record attempt, but was able to see through the event through the web camera. — Brandi Hagen
The captain of the Albert Lea Salvation Army woke up at 6 a.m. Tuesday and aims to avoid his bed until after 7 p.m. Friday.
Albert Lea Capt. Jim Brickson broke the Minnesota bell-ringing record last night and has his sights on the world record for consecutive bell-ringing. That means he needs to ring a bell for 80 hours. He hopes to raise $300 an hour. He calls his effort “Stand Up for Freeborn County.”
There were six others competing for the record. But as of this morning, the Salvation Army’s bell-ringing contest had narrowed to three, according to officials with the organization.
Remaining are Brickson, Maj. Marcelino Soriano of San Diego, Calif., and Andre Thompson of Tyler, Texas.
Out are Darrel Tureskis of Springfield, Ill., Capt. Emily Jones of Compton, Calif., Lt. Rob Lawler of Helena, Mont., and Quinton Green of Hanford, Calif.
“I’ll feel a whole lot better when I’m the only one left,” Brickson said.
He broke the Minnesota record for ringing a Salvation Army for 36 hours and 1 minute at 11:01 p.m. Wednesday while standing sock-footed in the center court at Northbridge Mall.
“We’re just moving on like it was a pit stop,” Brickson said.
Prior to breaking the state record, Brickson had only had three 5-minute breaks. He planned to take a two hour nap at 3 a.m. today.
The three remaining participants are attempting to break the world record of 80 hours.
They began ringing at 11 a.m. Tuesday and, if successful, will surpass the record at 7 p.m. Friday.
“It would be nice to keep that title in the Midwest and certainly in Minnesota,” Brickson said.
Throughout his effort, Brickson hopes to raise $24,000 for the local organization’s red kettle campaign.
The money raised goes to support local families in need of food, temporary shelter, rental and fuel assistance and budget counseling to help families achieve economic independence, to name a few.
Brickson welcomes the public to join him at the kettle at any hour of the day or to call 373-8776 to volunteer at another kettle.
The Albert Lea Tribune has live streaming video of the quest online by going to the navigation bar and clicking on “bell ringer.”
Follow him on Twitter @ahrten. The national hashtag for the event is #Ringiton.
