Illness won't slow Woods at Cedar Run senior's commitment to 'Battle of the Bells' effort

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Nov. 21, 2016 - PRLog -- Ernesteen Ecker has been a key part of The Woods at Cedar Run's team that has won Grand Champion honors in four of the past five 'Battle of the Bells' campaigns to raise money for the Salvation Army of Harrisburg.

    Ecker, who will turn 98 on Dec. 19, won't have a regular shift ringing the bells with her Woods at Cedar Run teammates at sites such as Boscov's or Karns Quality Foods. With her health failing, Ecker instead has mounted a campaign from the senior living community in Camp Hill.

    Her dining room table now serves as her red kettle station, decorated with her official "Sassy Seniors" T-shirt that states, "You're never too old to ring the bell." A photo of her Woods at Cedar Run bell-ringing team members affectionately dubbed the "Sassy Seniors" is on display. The Woods has won the title of Top Bell Ringers five straight years.

      A small red replica of the kettles used to collect donations is at the center of the display. Ecker also has set up a GoFundMe page on which she introduces herself to potential donors.

    Her introduction follows:

    "Friends & Family -- My name is Ernesteen Ecker, I am 98 years old and a resident of The Woods at Cedar Run.
For the last five years I have rung the bell for the Salvation Army of Harrisburg to help support them in providing programs to more than 20,000 local people in need, which includes the upcoming Christmas season.
My team members and I, 'The Sassy Seniors' of The Woods at Cedar Run have won the title of Grand Champions in the Battle of the Bells four times in the last five years and have won the title of Top Bell Ringers for five years running.
I love the thrill of ringing the bell and watching the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and especially the bills filling the kettles during the shifts I have worked. It fills my heart with such pride and warmth to know that even at my age I can make such a difference in so many peoples' lives.  As a teacher it is what I have always done and will continue to do until I take my final breath on this earth.
More importantly I love the interactions I have had with the people who respond to the sound of 'a bell.' The tinkling sound that reminds people each Christmas season to think not only about themselves but others as well.
This year I cannot man the kettles at our designated locations physically as I am ill but I want to continue to raise funds for the Salvation Army. So this is how I wish to do it.
Please assist me in my endeavor to make this year the best year yet for our 'Sassy Seniors Team.' We have already raised over $36,000 total during our five seasons. Our motto is: "You are never too old to ring the bell!" So to celebrate my 98th year on this earth, assist me in this yearly endeavor to show all that no matter what your age you still are valuable.
I will be forever grateful for whatever help you can give me to reach my goal of raising $3,000.
The campaign funds must be in by Friday, December 23rd.

Thank You for your Support!

Wishing You A Holiday Season Filled with Many Happy Memories,
Ernesteen Ecker

Help spread the word!"

     Ernesteen always has focused on teaching and assisting others. Her story is inspirational.

    Upon graduating from a small rural high school in Northwestern Pennsylvania, she set off to Edinboro State Teachers College with only $10 in her pocketbook. She worked her way through college and began teaching a class of 30 children in Erie, Pa.

    Ernesteen married her first husband James Miller, a tool and dye maker. They had two children James and Ann. At the age of 37 years old, she discovered her husband had multiple sclerosis. His illness required her to support the family solely on her teacher's salary. To supplement her income she sold World Book Encyclopedias, becoming one of the top sales people.

    She moved her family to Silver Spring, Maryland, in 1960. Ernesteen taught school by day and pursued her Master's Degree from the University of Maryland by night. It took her seven years to achieve her goal.

    While in the doctoral program, she broke her back in a fall at age 52 and had to retire from the teaching career she loved so much. Undaunted, she tutored foreign students learning English.

    Eventually, she began traveling. At age 68, she met the love of her life, a retired school teacher, Leonard Ecker, who had been blind since age 1.

    Ernesteen and Leonard married at age 80, and during their 18 years together they traveled to Asia, Australia, Europe, and the British Isles as well as all across North America and many cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii. Len's blindness and Ernesteen's back brace never stopped them from embracing every opportunity they encountered.

       "She is a force to be admired, inspired by. Her ability to push through any obstacle, including B-Cell Lymphoma, has set an example for all of us," said Julie Seifried, Director of Independent Living Operations at The Woods at Cedar Run. "She was diagnosed three months before her 98^th birthday. Even though she is aware she had a terminal illness and a diagnosis of weeks to months to live, she pushes through each day with a smile, a laugh, or an encouraging word to those caring for her."

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