With financial need rising this season, Air Force vet Deborah Hughley rings Salvation Army bells karaoke-style, using music to inspire generosity.
SAN ANTONIO — As the holiday season enters its busiest stretch, the Salvation Army says the need for help in San Antonio is greater than ever — while the number of people available to help is shrinking.
Social services staff say more families are turning to the organization this year as ongoing financial strain leaves households struggling to keep up. Some families are still trying to recover after missing paychecks during the recent government shutdown, creating ripple effects that extend well into the holiday season.
Brad Mayhar, Public Relations Manager for the Salvation Army of San Antonio, says each year demand appears to grow — but volunteers, especially bell ringers, are becoming harder to find.
“When the bell is silent, that means there’s help we’re not getting,” Mayhar said, noting that unfilled shifts directly affect funding for year-round programs that provide food, shelter and other essential services.
On San Antonio’s far west side, however, one bell ringer is making sure her kettle is anything but quiet.
Outside a Hobby Lobby near Culebra Road and Loop 1604, retired Air Force Major Deborah Hughley has turned a familiar sidewalk into a joyful gathering place. Rather than quietly ringing a bell, Hughley sings Christmas carols, invites shoppers to join her and even hands over a microphone to anyone willing to sing along.
“Let’s do a little ‘Silent Night!’” Hughley calls out as shoppers pass.
“If anybody comes out and they see me and you want to sing with me, please do,” she said.
Hughley is in her third year volunteering as a Salvation Army bell ringer, but this season she added something new: a portable speaker and two wireless microphones. She even rewrote the lyrics to a song inspired by The Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly,” adapting it to reflect the Salvation Army’s mission.
“I believe that inspirational songs — or just singing in general — can change the atmosphere,” Hughley said. “When you bring up joy, you can open up your heart even more and give.”
Her commitment to service began long before the red kettle.
Hughley retired in 2021 after serving 20 years, 10 months and five days as a chaplain in the United States Air Force. She said retirement didn’t end her calling — it simply gave her a new way to serve.
“Of course it’s my faith,” Hughley said. “We got the best gift, so now we need to give to help others.”
She says she’s only able to ring bells during the Christmas season and works just once a week, but even part time, the Salvation Army says Hughley is one of its top fundraisers.
“I give God all the praise,” she said.
Shoppers say her presence is hard to miss — and hard to forget.
“A spiritual lady, a helpful lady — she’s everything,” one shopper said, adding that Hughley has shown up rain or shine.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign runs through Dec. 24, with a fundraising goal of $200,000 to support families across San Antonio. Officials say they are currently behind where they hoped to be at this point in the season, largely because of volunteer shortages. Even paid bell ringer positions have been difficult to fill.
The organization estimates that if a bell ringer raises about $100 per shift, every unfilled slot represents critical money that isn’t going toward food, shelter and year-round assistance programs.
Hughley encourages people to give whatever they can.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s five cents,” she said. “Five cents adds to ten cents.”
Several donation matches are also underway. Through Dec. 19, Energy Transfer has pledged to match Red Kettle donations up to $50,000. Donations to Hughley’s kettle Friday are being matched by Texas Capital Bank.
Those interested in donating can visit salvationarmysatx.org. Anyone interested in volunteering as a bell ringer can sign up at registertoring.com. Bell ringers are typically stationed Tuesday through Saturday, and donations can also be made online.
As for Hughley, she says the joy she shares is just as important as the money raised.
“Any time you can share a joy moment — a moment of kindness, faith and inspiration — that’s what it’s all about,” she said.