The next time you pass a Salvation Army bell ringer, think about the long tradition that has existed since 1891.

The annual tradition of Salvation Army red kettles and ringing bells began in December of 1891 when an Army captain in San Francisco sought to find a way to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area's poor persons. 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 passersby.

On 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 that 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, Captain 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 of 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 1898, the New York World hailed The Salvation Army kettles as "the newest and most novel device for collecting money." The newspaper also observed, "There is a man in charge to see that contributions are not stolen."

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, however, families are given grocery checks or vouchers so they can buy and prepare their own dinners at home.

In November and December of 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.

Lt. Jeff Horn, Salvation Army, said the bell ringers began this year the day after Thanksgiving and will volunteer until Christmas Eve. The bell ringers are volunteers helping the Salvation Army to reach their goal.

"We've estimated the number of volunteers to be close to 300," Horn said.

"Our total goal is $108,000. The kettle raises about 30 percent of that. The rest comes through a variety of means."

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

Public contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten; to the aged and lonely, the ill, the poor and the unfortunate. In the United States, The Salvation Army annually aids more than 7 million persons during the holidays. Kettles have changed since the first large pot or cauldron set up in San Francisco. But, behind it all, though, is the same Salvation Army message, "Sharing is Caring." [[In-content Ad]]