Salvation Army Bell Ringer Punched in Face After Saying ‘Merry Christmas’

A man who was working as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army was given a rude shock when his exhortation to have a “Merry Christmas” was greeted by a blow to the head followed by an attack by someone who wasn’t in the mood for holiday cheer.

Reverend Jamie Wolfe, Sr. was working outside of a Sacramento area Walmart as he typically does this time of year when he was viciously assaulted by a man who cold-cocked him and then wrestled with him on the ground, causing Wolfe to fear for his life.

No money was taken from the kettle so it appears that he may be another victim of war on Christmas if police locate the perp and determine that the incident may have been motivated out of hatred for the season and symbolism of Christmas.

Bell Ringer Beaten After Wishing Man ‘Merry Christmas’ https://t.co/8GRezyMYVl

— CBS Sacramento CBS13 (@CBSSacramento) December 21, 2017

Via Sacramento CBS affiliate CBS-13 “Bell Ringer Beaten After Wishing Man ‘Merry Christmas’”:

A Salvation Army bell ringer was attacked in front of Walmart for simply spreading holiday cheer.

“I greet everybody, ‘Merry Christmas,’” said Rev. Jamie Wolfe, Sr.

Sadly, those two simple words got this bell ringer knocked out.

“He haymakered me, hit me, got me down on the ground and we started wrestling, at that point I’m fighting for my life,” Wolfe Sr. said.

The man wasn’t after the kettle money, but instead, his cheer.

“Definitely unexpected,” he claimed.

It was a savage attack — not even a Grinch could compare.

“Store says they love him and he’s been the best bell ringer they’ve ever had, so an attack that’s unprovoked is very surprising and very unfortunate. It’s not the call we’d expect to get at night,” or ever said Lt. Steve Pavlakis with the Salvation Army.

Pavlakis has been with the organization for 14 years, and this hasn’t happened.

Rev. Wolfe suffered minor injuries and won’t let the attack deter him from spreading the holiday cheer, he will be back ringing the bell again on Thursday.

It is hoped that store surveillance videos can help identify the attacker who should be spending the rest of the holiday season behind bars.