Ringing bells are a common sound during the Christmas season.

They often can be heard at local stores as people raising money for the Salvation Army ring bells by the red kettles for contributions. In turn, the Salvation Army uses the money to help needy families during the holidays and beyond. According to Ken Locke, of the Salvation Army, its goal this year is to raise $112,000.

The bell ringers and red kettles are at Wal-Mart, Big K-Mart, both Owen's locations and Marsh. There are also 80 counter kettles in area businesses.

Another way the organization helps children during Christmas is the Angel Tree program. Christmas trees are placed in four locations around the community. Children's names are put on decorations on the tree and people shop for them, both for clothes and toys. Of the 150 families in the Angel Tree program, there are approximately 230 children. The trees are at Big K-Mart, DePuy, Biomet and SPX in Pierceton.

"It appears that the number of people we're going to help is the same as last year," Locke said.

The Salvation Army is still happy to have more volunteers ring bells, Locke said. Anyone who would like to volunteer should call commanding officer Lt. Michael Schneider or Audrey Schneider at 267-5361. Most volunteers work weekdays or Saturdays 6 to 9 p.m., Locke said, while paid bell ringers work during the day.

Locke said the Salvation Army is also serving as a clearinghouse this year. Groups are encouraged to call the Salvation Army with the names of families they are helping so they can be taken off the Salvation Army list. The Salvation Army will then be able to stretch its resources, Locke said.

The annual tradition of Salvation Army red kettles and ringing bells began in December 1891 when an Army captain in San Francisco sought to find a way to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area's poor people. But how would he pay for the food?

As he went about his daily tasks, the question stayed in his mind. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, where he saw a large pot into which charitable donations were thrown by passers-by.

The next morning, he secured permission from the authorities to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing. No time was lost in securing the pot and placing it in a conspicuous position so it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferry boats. In addition, a brass urn was placed on a stand in the waiting room for the same purpose. Thus, Capt. Joseph McFee launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States but throughout the world.

By Christmas 1895, the kettle was used in 30 Salvation Army locations along the West Coast. The Sacramento Bee that year carried a description of the Army's Christmas activities and mentioned the contributions to street corner kettles. In 1897, red kettles began appearing in Boston and New York City.

In November and December 1921 the Salvation Army's red kettle appeared in Warsaw, raising needed dollars to provide a happy, cheerful and warm holiday for the less fortunate of Kosciusko County.

Kettles now are used in such countries as Korea, Japan and Chile, and in many European countries.

In the United States, The Salvation Army annually aids more than 7 million people during the holidays.

Kettles have changed since the first large pot or cauldron was set up in San Francisco. But behind it all is the same Salvation Army message: "Sharing is Caring." [[In-content Ad]]