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Omaha, NE—Lori Miller is happy to see 2017 go away. First she lost the diamond out of her original wedding setting just as she and her husband were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. Then he had a car accident and endured five operations before finally returning to work at year’s end. But instead of wallowing in her challenges, she decided to volunteer as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. Her dedication resulted in a special reward: she was announced as the winner of Borsheims Big Ring contest, and received a new diamond engagement ring (left) valued at more than $5,000 from the jeweler.

Borsheims’ Big Ring contest allowed people who rang bells as part of the Salvation Army’s red kettle bell ringing campaign between November 11 and December 23 to enter to win a new diamond engagement ring from the jeweler. The ring, a 14k white gold round diamond double halo, retails for $5,395. Miller was announced as the winner in the middle of Borsheims and presented with the ring, to the applause of the gathered crowd.

Salvation Army officials say the campaign with Borsheims helped inspire more people to sign up for bell-ringing shifts. This year, with the help of the Borsheims Big Ring contest, nearly 93% of bell ringing shifts were filled with volunteers, compared to only 73% two years ago before the promotion with Borsheims started. The money raised from the Red Kettle campaign goes to The Salvation Army’s human need fund, helping with food, housing, youth development, and other social service needs.

Lori Miller (striped sweater), winner of Borsheims' Big Ring contest, with, from left, a representative from the Salvation Army, Borsheims' CEO Karen Goracke, and a representative from KISS-FM radio.

Borsheims president and CEO Karen Goracke said, “We love being a part of this wonderful effort by The Salvation Army. Our employees join in the bell-ringing fun, volunteering to ring more than 35 hours at our busiest time of year. We are so happy to see Ms. Miller win and hope the new diamond ring brings her and her family much joy.”

Miller, from Blair, NE, was thrilled to be named the winner of the ring, but says she decided to ring bells for the Salvation Army with her two boys to show them how to give back to the community.

Karen Goracke, Borsheims’ president and CEO, presents the ring to winner Laurie Miller.