San Francisco Salvation Army Bell Ringer Breaks World Record
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— A Salvation Army bell ringer in San Francisco has broken the previous world record for continuous ringing by one person.
Butch Soriano has been ringing for two days in Union Square, where the non-stop effort for the Red Kettle Campaign made it into the books around Friday night.
He started ringing in front of Macy's around 9 a.m. Thursday, broke the record around 9 p.m. Friday and was still going strong ringing his way into Saturday morning.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
He has far surpassed his predecessor's record of 36 hours set in Spokane, Washington.
"It's taken its toll. My legs are getting tight and my feet are hurting," Soriano said.
Soriano, who lives in Pacifica and is a captain with the Salvation Army, was optimistic that if he took a break that he'd be able to last a few more hours.
This was part of a nationwide competition to set a new record involving 24 people who were allowed a bathroom break every four hours, but no eating was permitted.
Soriano said the inconvenience of only being allowed water, Gatorade or juices to drink was all worth it to raise money for people in need.
"The Christmas season is the busiest and the biggest fundraising time of the year for the Salvation Army. The needs are great in the community, yet the resources are becoming scarcer," he said.
Soriano has received plenty of encouragement and donations from passers by.
Last year's Salvation Army campaign brought in $142 million nationwide.
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