The Return of the Red Kettles
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The Mission Continues: Image courtesy of The Salvation Army
They stand on seemingly every corner, their smiles almost as distinctive as their signature red kettles. Their bells ring out, as if calling the holiday season to order. The holidays have begun, bringing with them the return of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
The Red Kettle Campaign has been around since 1891, when a Salvation Army officer collected money in a red kettle to feed the poor of San Francisco. Since then, the campaign has become worldwide, with 300 kettle locations in the National Capital Area Command, which covers the D.C. Metro area.
Despite the organization’s widespread reach, Salvation Army spokeswoman Carla Daniel Turner stressed the campaign’s emphasis on helping the local community.
“All of the money given to a red kettle stays local,” said Turner. “If you see a kettle in Fairfax and you donate to that kettle, that money will stay in that community.”
Turner emphasized the importance of the Red Kettle Campaign, since the monies collected are used to fund Salvation Army programs throughout the year.
“I think one of the biggest misconceptions…is [that] people think the money donated just supports programs during the holiday season, when in actuality that money supports year-round programming,” said Turner.
In addition to those the program helps, the Red Kettle Campaign has also had an impact on those who volunteer, particularly the Bell Ringers.
David Sears has been a Bell Ringer since he was 12 years old, and volunteered with his parents. He continues to volunteer to this day, often with his college-age sons.
“You continue to do it year after year ‘cause it’s a part of who you are,” said Sears. “It’s just a little way of helping others.”
Sears and his sons will often volunteer for an entire day, working from eight in the morning until nine at night, with his sons bringing their instruments with them to entertain the crowd with Christmas carols.
“We make it a full day event,” said Sears, who had many stories to share from his experiences over the years.
Despite the notoriety and tradition, Turner said The Red Kettle Campaign has found itself facing difficulties this year, like most charities during this economic recession.
Prior to Thanksgiving weekend, Red Kettle contributions were down 76% from last year.
The Salvation Army has been taking action to improve kettle contributions; including having some kettles accept credit cards.
One of the more notable innovations is a “virtual kettle,” where someone can set up a kettle online and invite their friends to donate. This method has been adopted by the pop group The Jonas Brothers, who set up a kettle and encouraged their sizable fan base to donate.
The Salvation Army puts the money towards a number of charitable endeavors, including drug rehabilitation, help for the homeless and buying gifts for underprivileged children.
“We believe that no child should wake up Christmas morning with nothing under the tree,” said Turner.
Salvation Army, National Capital Area
