Like many people, Eric Halvorson's first memories of The Salvation Army are the Christmas bellringers he saw as a child.
"To me, that sound is an essential part of the Christmas tradition," says Halvorson, an anchor and reporter at WISH-TV in Indianapolis and the chairman of the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights fund-raising campaign.
"My experience as a reporter helped me appreciate the work of The Salvation Army beyond the holidays," he says. "Service to hurricane victims is a perfect example of the year-round commitment the Salvation Army has to people in need."
One of Halvorson's most vivid memories was attending "Salvation Army Night" at Conseco Fieldhouse during an Indiana Pacers game. Major Dennis Strissel, Indiana's divisional commander, said The Salvation Army would do whatever was needed to help a victim of a recent tornado in Evansville, Ind.
"Without hesitation, Major Strissel said, 'Whatever her needs are, just let us know. We'll take care of her.' He didn't stop and think about the logistics or the cost. He just made it known that The Salvation Army was there to help, no matter what. That really made an impression on me," Halvorson told "InsideIndiana," the Army's Indiana Division newsletter.
Passion at the scene
Halvorson says he is impressed by the passion he sees in Salvation Army workers.
"I've seen them set up canteens at the scenes of fires, and those people are always eager to help anyone who comes forward," he says. "In the small ways and in much bigger ways, The Salvation Army is fulfilling [its] motto, 'Doing the Most Good.' I'm also impressed by the families who carry on the Salvation Army tradition from one generation to another."
Halvorson says the scope of the Salvation Army's work "is more extensive than I realized—and it's more far-reaching than I realized. Before last year, I was not aware that The Salvation Army was active in so many different parts of the world."
TV anchor Halvorson understands the Army's motivation as a Christ-centered organization because he is a Christian himself, active in an Indianapolis church.
"I know there are plenty of people who can quote Scripture better than I can," he says. "But I have read the Bible cover to cover—skimming the 'begats,' I admit—and I try to live as God wants us to.
"Lately, [my] spiritual life has been driven by the idea that the Lord helps those who help themselves. I'm trying to learn Spanish. So, we've been going to a different church [where] the Sunday night mass is celebrated in Spanish."
Truth in TV
Halvorson says being a Christian affects the way he approaches his work at Channel 8.
"Simply put, I want to be truthful in the work I do and respectful of the people who appear in my stories," he says.
The Salvation Army's Tree of Lights chair, Halvorson participated in the launch of Salvation Army Night with the Indiana Pacers.
On that occasion, the Army gave the NBA team an award for its support. The Tree of Light campaign also includes an annual toy drive held each year at an Indianapolis Colts game.
Of course, Halvorson also found time to ring the bell at a Salvation Army kettle a few times during the Christmas season.
"I started to develop a pretty good technique too," he says.
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