02 December 2013

      

UPDATED - 07 December 2013 - (Click on any of the photos to see more on Flickr!)

The holiday season kicked off in style when local celebrities gathered with The Salvation Army in downtown Seattle to ring the iconic Red Kettle bells during the lunch hour Tuesday, December 10. This year marked the 39th annual Celebrity Bell Ringing event, a tradition founded by Advisory Board member Herb Mead, and continued to this day by his son, Clint. Since 1974, Celebrity Bell Ringing has raised millions of dollars for families in need. This year's festivities were led by Clint, joined by Salvation Army Divisional Commander, Major Douglas Tollerud, at the corner of 5th Avenue and Pine Street, in front of the festive Nordstrom windows. 

   

This year also marked the return of Mike and Kathy Holmgren to the event. The former Seahawks head coach was a supporter of The Salvation Army while he lived in Seattle, and his wife, Kathy, was a member of the organization’s Advisory Board. Mike has recently retired and they’ve moved back to Seattle. Current UW Husky Offensive Coordinator Eric Kiesau also participated along with former Husky and NFL quarterback Damon Huard. They were joined by TV and radio personalities, and some of the leading philanthropic members of our community – all helping The Salvation Army raise money for this great cause.

   

Hailed as one of the most fun events in the area, it is a chance to see the famous, and an opportunity to help those in need by donating to a kettle. Due to the challenging economy, more families throughout the Northwest need the help and resources of The Salvation Army. 

   

A great big 'Thank You' to each and every one of our celebrity bellringers for their support of this special event:

• Mike Holmgren - Seattle Seahawks, Head Coach (1999 – 2008)
• Eric Kiesau - University of Washington, Offensive Coordinator
• Damon Huard - University of Washington (1991 – 1996)
• Butch Goncharoff - Bellevue High School, Head Coach
• Dennis Bounds - KING 5 TV
• Brad Goode - KOMO 4 TV
• Liz Dueweke - KOMO 4 TV
• Walter Kelly - KCPQ 13 TV
• Brien Blakely - KCPQ 13 TV
• Brad Nolan - Click 98.9
• Manda Factor - KOMO Newsradio
• Gregg Hersholt - KOMO Newsradio
• John Carlson - KVI-AM
• Brooke Fox - MOViN 92.5
• Lydia Cruz - MOViN 92.5
• Jose Bolanos - MOViN 92.5
• Marina Rockinger - STAR 101.5
• Mark Christopher - WARM 106.9
• Seahawks SeaGals - Courtney and Natalie
• Seattle Seahawks - Blitz    
• Kimball Gainor - Miss Seattle
• Hailey Sturgill - Miss Seattle’s Outstanding Teen