LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With smiles that outshine twinkling Christmas lights and bells that create the perfect melody of kindness, Salvation Army volunteers often have a story, a purpose for their service.
For some people it’s as simple as needing volunteer hours, for others it’s an annual tradition, but for some— the purpose is much deeper.
Marilyn Fritts of Conway is one of those individuals. This year she’s ringing bells at one of the iconic red-kettles for the first time ever.
With each person that passes, she dawns a bright smile and shares a simple, yet heartfelt greeting. “Merry Christmas”, she’ll say.
As joyful as she is, dressed in holiday-themed costumes, Marilyn smiles and rings through a deep pain only known by a mother who’s lost a child.
In 2021, at the young age of 34, Marilyn’s daughter Megan lost her life. She had been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, a disease increasingly common in younger adults.
It wasn’t the cancer itself that took her life.
In fact, Megan faired well with the surgery. It was a rare complication stemming from chemotherapy, a measure intended only to be extra cautious, that she succumbed to.
While sorting through Megan’s belongings, Marilyn found a bucket list. She had no previous knowledge the list even existed.
It was full of the ordinary and extraordinary. Having children of her own, participating in the Mongolian Road Race, and windsurfing in Greece, just to name a few.
However, it was bucket list item number 68 that caught Marilyn’s attention. Number 68 reads “Be a Salvation Army bell ringer.”
“I decided 2023 was the year I can do this,” said Marilyn. “I'd already shed enough tears and I thought, I've got to get busy and put myself out there."
So she did.
She signed up to be a volunteer bell ringer. Sitting beside her red kettle is a picture of Megan with the words “Bucket List #68”.
Many of Megan’s friends and family all around the country have also signed up to ring bells in her honor, working to cross off another item.
Marilyn is a mom on a mission, that has been working to complete her daughter's dreams and keep her honor alive. She’s also using this as an opportunity to spread awareness of colon cancer and its increasing occurrence in young people.
She is encouraging people to join her in becoming a volunteer bell ringer at RegisterToRing.com or by donating to a virtual red kettle.