Bedenbender rallies bell ringers to earn $22K for charity

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AFB, Mont --  For one 19-year Air Force Security Forces veteran, "having a positive impact on his career field and the Air Force as a whole," are two of his goals for the future. If the actions as the wing point of contact for the 2006 Salvation Army Bell Ringers program can be counted, he's well on his way to achieving those goals.

Master Sgt. Jim Bedenbender, NCOIC of the SETS/CATS section for the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron, along with the help of four other group coordinators, spearheaded the volunteer efforts of 262 bell ringers from Malmstrom, starting back in October 2006.

"I was given the opportunity when the former POC retired, so I took it," he said. "I know what the Salvation Army stands for and I know what they do. Many people from Malmstrom use their services so it wasn't a hard decision to make to ensure the fundraising effort was a success."

Volunteers were positioned at the entrance and exit to WalMart, as well as at Sam's Club, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for 26 days over the holidays. The bell ringers put their red kettles to bed Dec. 23 and when all donations were counted, the three Malmstrom-driven locations had pulled in more than $22,000 in donations; an increase in almost $3,000 from last year.

"I was definitely surprised with the final numbers," Sergeant Bedenbender said. "With the price of gas and many other things going up so high, people were still very giving. It's a testament to the generosity that's known to be prevalent in this community."

Sergeant Bedenbender is on his second tour at Malmstrom, having been stationed here from November 1995 through September 1998. He and his family, wife Brenda and sons Brandon, 13; Jason, 9; and Jack, 7, have been back in the area nearly two years now. The native of Moran, Kan., and 1986 graduate of Uniontown High School, likes to hunt, fish and coach his sons in baseball and soccer when time permits. On duty, he is responsible for a team of 146 other security forces members who provide security for the maintenance teams that deploy to the missile complex and for the camper teams that provide site security when needed.

He credits Chief Master Sergeant Larry Wilson, 341st Security Forces Group security forces manager, as having the most positive influence on his Air Force career to date.
"He has always had faith in me and he has given me the opportunities to excel," said Sergeant Bedenbender.

His favorite Air Force memory, so far, was when both he and 1st Lt. Jarred Hoover won 20th Air Force awards for the third quarter 2006; he as senior noncommissioned officer and the lieutenant for company grade officer. It just turns out Sergeant Bedenbender trained Lieutenant Hoover at officers basic course.

Positive impact on his career field and the Air Force as a whole . . . it appears to be the rule not the exception for this dedicated NCO.