Tales of a bell ringer

Charles Blackman rings in the holiday season with music, donations and stories

By AARON MARBONE Staff Writer

TUPPER LAKE Seeing Charles Blackman bundled up outside the Shaheen’s IGA grocery store, listening to Christmas tunes while he rings the Salvation Army bell, is a sign of the Christmas season in Tupper Lake.

Blackman has been donating his time to the cause for 18 consecutive years from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve in all sorts of weather

Every year he helps collect a few thousand dollars in donations, whether it be pocket change or huge jugs of $75 in quarters and dimes He said the Salvation Army collects an average of $4,000 in a season in town The money all stays local, he said, at charities like the Tupper Lake Food Pantry.

Blackman’s neighbor, Russell Eidhammer, said he is impressed with his neighbor’s annual selfless act and wanted to give him some recognition.

Eidhammer moved to town five years ago and became Blackman’s neighbor They see each other about every day walking on the road or visiting their homes

“They don’t make people like this anymore,”

Eidhammer said of Blackman

Blackman is the type of guy to answer the phone with a “I’m doing marvelous! Top shelf.”

Blackman moved to town from New Jersey in 2003 He started ringing the bell in 2005 The bell ringing is a tradition he looks forward to.

“My little motto is ‘The more we do for others, the more we do for ourselves,’” Blackman said.

“There are no negatives on it ”

It all started when he saw an ad in the paper and knew he was qualified.

“As long as it takes no skill and no intelligence, I can handle it,” Blackman said

But it does take a hearty spirit to stand in the cold for hours for days

Eidhammer said Blackman is like the U.S. Postal Service he’s there “sleet or snow ”

“You know, my layers have layers,” Blackman said.

“I get to listen to Christmas music, talk to nice people and hopefully I’m helping somebody That’s a nice way to spend four or five hours in the morning,” Blackman said “It makes the day go very fast

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