Listen to this article
The familiar sound rings in your ears—a Salvation Army bellringer stands outside your go-to shop, wishing you a happy holiday season while raising funds to help your community. While a kettle worker is a welcome sight, the journey of becoming one can be just as heartwarming. Just ask John Thomas.
Thomas and his wife, Christa Thomas, came to Alaska in the summer of 2024 with a lot of hope but not much money. That hope dwindled as quickly as the weather changed, as they were forced to live in their car, something that’s not simple in Mat-Su Valley, where cold winter temperatures and snow abound.
The loving couple was there for each other, but the situation was a severe shot to Thomas’ confidence.
“I felt like a failure, like I couldn’t provide for me or my significant other,” he said.
Adding insult to injury, the water pump in their vehicle stopped working, rendering the car immobile. Things got even worse when Christa Thomas fell ill. Without a working car, it was incredibly difficult to get to medical appointments, it was tough to find safe places to use the restroom and it was nearly impossible for both of them to be comfortable in a small space. With fall in full swing and cooler temperatures encroaching, something had to give.
Thomas applied for a job as a bellringer with The Salvation Army and was visiting the Mat-Su Valley Corps in Palmer, Alaska, to discuss the open bellringer position with ministry leader Troy Cook. As the two got to know each other, it became clear to Cook that Thomas could use more than the job.
Cook introduced the Thomases to the Mat-Su Valley Corps Food Pantry Family Services and Office Coordinator Sheryl Tichenor, who helped coordinate a plan. By mid-November, The Salvation Army arranged hotel rooms for the couple so they could get out of their car and into warm, cozy beds.
The support didn’t stop there. “They have also utilized the food pantry, they were provided with a gift card for additional food, resources and referrals through Supportive Services, and fellowship through the church,” Tichenor said.
“Don’t lose hope. There are still people out there who are willing to help.”
John Thomas
The Thomases definitely appreciated the tangible support, but it was more than that.
“For me, it was the emotional support, not just the job. It was both,” Thomas said.
The couple stayed in the hotel for four weeks. In that time, Thomas’s background check cleared and he accepted the job with The Salvation Army and became a paid bellringer.
“The help The Salvation Army has provided John and Christa will help them work toward ending their homelessness,” Tichenor said.
As a bellringer, Thomas helped others by raising donations during the Christmas season. He rang the bell eight hours a day, five days a week, and enjoys spreading the gospel and holiday cheer.
“I know Merry Christmas is what The Salvation Army was based on … the world really needs it right now,” he said.
The best part of the job? According to Thomas, it’s the smiles.
“The most rewarding part of being a bellringer is being able to bring a smile to somebody’s face when they’re having a hard day,” he said. “The right words at the right time can be something really special and strong. You can really make somebody’s day and stop them from doing something wrong.”
Bell ringing isn’t Thomas’s only gig. He was also able to secure a janitorial position temporarily, bringing the couple closer to a more stable living situation.
“This is a great success story,” Tichenor said.
The road to success doesn’t stop here, as the Thomases’ dreams for the future include building a cabin on a nice plot of land and living a happy life together with their family.
Thomas has some key advice for anyone who finds themself in a situation similar to the one he and his wife were in just a few months ago: “Don’t lose hope. There are still people out there who are willing to help.”
Do Good:
Download this page as a PDF
