Oct. 31, 2016 – Richfield, WI – Sign up today to be a bell ringer for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles. Call, text, or email Amy to volunteer. 262-357-4039 or washingtoncountysalvationarmy@gmail.com
On a history note: The Salvation Army Red Kettles started in 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was troubled by the number of poor individuals in San Francisco going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken.
McFee got the idea of the red kettle when he recalled seeing a large, iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” placed at a stage landing when he was a sailor in Liverpool, England. Passers-by would toss in a coin or two to help the poor.
And with that the red kettle idea was born. Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy.
In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years.
Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.
Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.
History details are courtesy the Salvation Army International.