BERWICK, Pa. — John Gipple of Berwick looked forward to being a Salvation Army bell ringer every year. In Gipple's eight years of bell ringing, he raised nearly $50,000 for the Salvation Army of Berwick.
"His love was his family, and his passion was his bell ringing. Every year, John looked forward to being out in the community," Salvation Army Capt. Michael Buzzard said.
Earlier this year, Gipple was diagnosed with cancer, but he still wanted to ring that bell. In September, Capt. Michael Buzzard visited Gipple while he was in hospice care.
"Days before our campaign started, we met with John and his family and told him we'd love to make him an honorary bell ringer because we wanted his health first, but we knew his passion was to help," Buzzard said.
"He had tears in his eyes and a big smile on his face when the captain told him that. That made his day," John's aunt Laura Remaley said.
"Oh, smile from ear to ear," John's sister Patty Shaffer said.
Gipple passed away on November 19, the day of the Red Kettle kickoff. But he is still participating even after his death. The Salvation Army of Berwick set up a virtual kettle in Gipple's memory with a goal of raising $5,000. His family believes it's something he would have been proud of.
"I think it's so, so awesome, and this guy deserves every single bit of it," Remaley said.
"He's a man of few words but always the biggest smile and genuinely thanking people and just happy to be helping others," Capt. Jennifer Buzzard said.
Gipple is still helping others, even after his death. If you'd like to donate to his virtual kettle, click here.