Lodi Salvation Army bell ringer, formerly homeless, spreads hope
Every year during the Christmas season, gracious Salvation Army volunteers stand outside local stores in the frigid winter air with their red kettles. They enthusiastically ring their bells in hopes that store patrons will be in the giving spirit and drop a few coins in their kettles for those in need.
Lodi bell ringer Elizabeth Garcia O’Connell is a perfect example of how much of a difference the kettle donations can make for people in need.
O’Connell was homeless just a year ago.
“At a time where I was broken and I wasn’t able to hold down employment or housing I went to the Salvation Army to ask them for help,” O’Connell said.
O’Connell was living out of her car and facing several other life struggles when she came to the Salvation Army for help. She would work during the day and then go to the Salvation Army Hope Harbor Shelter at night.
“I was able to go there and have shelter. They had breakfast before you’d leave in the morning and dinner at 5 p.m. and I would be there,” she said.
She remembers one night when she was having dinner at the Salvation Army and a woman from her children’s school gave her a look and acted as if she didn’t even know who she was.
“That one look made me even more determined to get back on my feet. How dare she judge me and I’m trying to make my life better,” O’Connell said.
A decade ago, prior to divorcing her first husband, O’Connell worked as the executive assistant to the CEO of Shriners Hospital and held several other prominent jobs, but after the divorce and a few bad choices her life began spiraling out of control.
“I hit rock bottom. I was broken,” she said.
Off and on through her struggle, the Salvation Army stepped in to assist O’Connell up to the point where she found herself homeless last year. O’Connell recalled how right after her divorce the Salvation Army stepped in and provided Christmas for her children.
During her struggle, O’Connell said the Salvation Army showed her that she was a person, that she mattered and there was a better way a life for her.
The Salvation Army also provided O’Connell with clothes for her job interviews and other assistance to help her get back on her feet.
“Fast forward a year later and I’m married. We bought a home in Lodi. I’m working. I drive a BMW. Salvation Army gave me hope, restored my faith and showed me love,” O’Connell said.
O’Connell and her husband were married this past September at Lake Tahoe.
She remembered having to spend Thanksgiving alone in her car last year and telling herself she would never have a holiday alone again.
This year she spent Thanksgiving with her inlaws and husband at Pismo Beach and said without the Salvation Army that may not have happened.
“I have a life beyond my wildest dreams and it’s just going to get better,” she said.
O’Connell spent Christmas at the Hope Harbor Shelter last year and remembered how another homeless woman at the shelter painted a rock and gave it to her for Christmas and how touched she was by that gesture.
O’Connell made the choice to be a bell ringer this year because the Salvation Army taught her to give back.
“I decided to ring the bell so others like me can have a chance and have their hope and faith restored because if there wasn’t someone out there before me ringing the bell and getting those donations, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to find myself and come back,” O’Connell said. “I was very lost, and I’m just so grateful to the Salvation Army for what they do.”
She encourages others to donate and get involved any way they can. O’Connell plans to donate as many hours as she can to ringing the bell this holiday season and is also recruiting friends via her Facebook page.
“I just want to give hope to others. If you’re in a bad situation, go to the Salvation Army because they will help,” she said.
The Salvation Army is close to reaching its goal of 1,500 volunteer hours for this bell ringing season, according to Major Mark Thielenhaus.
He said they are still in need of volunteers to ring the bell.
Proceeds go towards Lodi Salvation Army programs such as social services, youth programs, the shelter, transitional living and the culinary program.
For more information on how to become a bell ringer visit lodi.salvationarmy.org and click the volunteer button to sign up.