ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - If you’ve shopped in Albany during the holidays, you’ve probably heard her bell... and her voice. Patricia Cruse has been spreading Christmas cheer as a Salvation Army bellringer for 12 years, and she’s become one of the city’s most recognizable faces each holiday season.

WALB’s Moriah Norman joined Patricia at the red kettle to find out what keeps her ringing year after year.

The Face of Albany’s Holiday Spirit

It’s hard to walk past Patricia Cruse’s red kettle without stopping. Maybe it’s the bell. Her speaker. Or maybe it’s her smile.

“Wherever I go, people are like ‘There she is. That special bellringer that brings joy to us every year,” Patricia said.

When asked how it makes her feel when people are excited to see her, Patricia’s face lights up.

“It makes me happy, cheerful, and jittery. No matter what the weather is outside, it makes me push and strive to do more each year.”

Rain, Shine, or Grinches — She’s Ringing

Behind that joy is a purpose. Nothing stops her. Not bad weather. Not slow donations. Not even grumpy shoppers.

“It’s some people that don’t feel the love of Christmas. But I keep my head up and still smile at them. I tell myself to ‘Get in the groove.’ And sometimes they’ll come back and say ‘You know what, you just made my day,’” Patricia explained.

The Community Called Her Back

Patricia’s late husband supported her bellringing. Now she rings in his memory.

“I stopped bellringing for a little bit. And I heard people saying, ‘Where’s the Christmas bellringer lady at? We miss her.’ That’s what sparked me doing it every year. It was because of the growth and the people that love me for what I do,” she said.

Every Dollar Stays Right Here in Albany

Every day is an opportunity for Patricia to change a family’s life. Every Salvation Army donation stays local to support local food pantries and social services in Dougherty County.

But Patricia says she can’t do the job without her Captain’s support.

Chris Powell, Commanding Officer of the Dougherty County Salvation Army, understands the mission on a personal level.

“My wife and I did this almost 20 years. I lost her about two years ago,” Powell shared. “Our whole life me and her have been about helping the community we’re in and the people. This is something that brings a lot of joy in of me.”

The sound of Patricia’s bell, accompanied by her infectious spirit and the support of Captain Powell, reminds the Albany community what the holiday season is truly about: serving others and spreading joy.

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