The ubiquitous red kettles one sees this time of year and the ringing of the bells comes from a long-standing tradition in many cities and countries around the world.
It began in 1865 in London when Generals William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army to help the poor and destitute. Little did they realize the impact their actions would have years later on a world traveler living on another continent.
According to the Salvation Army website, in 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome and that was funding the project.
Where would the money come from? He lay awake nights, worrying, thinking, praying about how he could find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city's poor on Christmas Day. His thoughts took him back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot" into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.
The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling." He soon had the money to see that the needy were fed at Christmas.
Thus,, the tradition of the kettle and the ringing of the bell began and became the hallmark of the Salvation Army at Christmas.
Now, closer to home, the message Majors Bob and Karen Schmig hope to spread is that the red kettle and bell ringing are alive and well in southern Utah, and they want to spread the world and enlist the help of more individuals and organizations.
What is the Salvaton Army doing here in Washington County with the donated funds? Here is just a short list of some things they do:
*Provide more than 300 food boxes a month
*Offer outreach programs for certain holidays
*Provide families and individuals with gasoline and utilities vouchers and other emergency assistance
*Provide toys and clothes for more than 275 children
*Offer summer camp opportunities
Other opportunities in which individuals may become involved include assisting in the food pantry in handing out food boxes and stocking food shelves. supporting the Angel Tree project, sponsoring a donation food drive and other volunteer opportunities based on interest.
"We are always in need of volunteers," says Major Karen.
Adds Major Bob, "We want to be about what does the most good for our community members in need of assistance without discrimination."
To register to ring, visit registertoring.com
The Salvation Army in St. George is located at 568 W. Telegraph Rd, Suite 4 in Washington City. Tel. 435.275.4975