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Jefferson Schildgen reaches others through music by harmonizing his passion and service.
For Salvation Army volunteer Jefferson Schildgen, volunteering isn’t just a casual commitment; it’s a powerful blend of compassion and connection.
That’s what he found after volunteering as a bellringer in San Diego last year, enhancing the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols while collecting donations at the kettle.
“I’ve always felt that if you can help somebody out, then you should,” Schildgen said. “Whatever that may look like, if you have the means, the time and the ability to do right by others, then there’s no reason not to.”
For him, this looks like captivating an audience through the magic of song. He specializes in jazz style, Big Band and Rat Pack music, drawing inspiration from artists like Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé and Bing Crosby.
According to Schildgen, music has held a special place in his life since 2006, when he began playing the trumpet in middle school and later joined the high school marching band.
After graduating high school and attending a semester of college at the University of Maryland Global Campus for information technology, Schildgen enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began voluntarily singing while traveling the world on duty.
“Singing for others is just a good feeling,” Schildgen said. “It’s a way to offer something to people and see their response of excitement and appreciation.”
Inspired by Salvation Army bellringers, Schildgen decided he would volunteer as one in December 2022.
Bellringers play a critical role during The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle fundraising season. Funds raised at the kettle help The Salvation Army serve more than 25 million people in need across the U.S. each year, with more than four-and-a-half million of them served during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Schildgen said he often captured the public’s attention while bellringing and singing, prompting them to pause and enjoy a familiar song, sometimes leading to increased donations.
“It’s really nice to see all of the smiling faces coming in and out of stores,” Schildgen said. “People will stop and thank me; they’re very appreciative and grateful.”
Schildgen said singing while bellringing not only garnered significant attention and positive feedback from the public but also left a strong impression on the kettle coordinator, who recorded videos and forwarded them to San Diego Centre City Corps Officer Jeremy Alexander.
“His talent was clear immediately,” Alexander said. “His singing and music captivate people and I wanted to find a way to incorporate that here at our corps.”
Alexander organizes a monthly community barbeque for individuals in San Diego experiencing homelessness or hunger. The event brings over 200 individuals together to eat, spend time in fellowship and listen to music.
After hearing Schildgen sing, Alexander decided to involve him as a live vocalist at the barbeque, aiming to add another level of connection and ambiance to the events.
“I would gladly serve food or drinks,” Schildgen said. “But Captain Jeremy wanted me to sing, and I was happy to do so.”
San Diego Communication Manager Jake Minger said the live music has enhanced the monthly barbeque event by creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for everyone involved.
“People just love it,” Minger said. “Some will come up and sing along or dance, but everyone has a smile and is happy to be at an event with a performer.”
According to Schildgen, volunteering has positively impacted his life, creating a sense of connection with people around him along with the fulfillment in knowing he’s reaching others through music.
“When you serve others, God starts to show himself in different ways,” Schildgen said. “Seeing the appreciation and the happy faces and smiles while also hearing about some of the lives changed through The Salvation Army has been heartwarming.”
Additionally, Schildgen said the platform The Salvation Army has given him has also blessed his personal life.
“Since the barbeque, people have requested that I sing at private parties or events,” he said. “So I felt prepared to start up my first business, Schildgen Entertainment LLC.”
On March 24, Schildgen finalized the paperwork for his business and began booking performances under his performance name “Rat Pack Reborn.” He said he currently has five bookings for an upcoming December Christmas set list.
“It’s really amazing because I didn’t get any of these ideas until I started volunteering,” Schildgen said.
For Schildgen, singing to others has fulfilled his desire to reach and serve people, motivated by their responses of gratitude and enjoyment.
“I don’t think any of this would have happened without the opportunities I’ve received from The Salvation Army,” he said.
Schildgen is still active in the Navy, but he said he will continue bellringing and singing for Salvation Army events for as long as he can.
“It’s just been a blessing for me, and I hope for others too,” he said.
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