Salvation Army officers eye bell record

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LATROBE, Pa., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Salvation Army officer in Pennsylvania says he and a handful of colleagues across the country will vie for the national record for consecutive bell ringing.

Ray Knous, a worship and commanding officer of the Latrobe unit, said he will start ringing his bell at 9 a.m. Tuesday outside the Walmart store in Unity and will keep clanging for as long as he can, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Monday.

Knous, who said he will be joined in the attempt by 10 to 15 other bell ringers across the country, said the record is 60 hours, set during last year's event.

"If I can last that long, great. But my goal is 18 to 36 hours," Knous said. "My main purpose is to raise exposure for our local Salvation Army and raise money."

Knous said his unit was behind in its goal to raise $64,000 during the 2012 Red Kettle Campaign.

"I wouldn't say we're worried yet, but we're concerned," he said.