Ring those bells

As we turn a new calendar page to find the holiday season looking us right in the eye, the Salvation Army of Carlton County is preparing for its annual Red Kettle Campaign with an increased sense of urgency this year.

Not only has the need in Carlton County grown as the economy continues to decline, but fewer volunteers have stepped forward in recent years to help ring the traditional Salvation Army bells, the primary fund raiser for the Army’s holiday giving.

If you’ve ever wanted to put the holiday season back in focus for you and your children, if you’ve ever thought about having a team-building project at work, or if you’ve ever felt moved to do something personal to help out your neighbors in need, why not consider signing up for a shift or two in this year’s Red Kettle Campaign?

If you do, you’ll become a part of a long-standing tradition that dates all the way back to 1891 in San Francisco when a man named Captain Joseph McFee was looking for a way to help provide meals to families in need and recalled a large pot once used in Liverpool, England, into which passers-by threw charitable donations. McFee decided to place a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing.

As it turned out, he was able to attract donations from those going to and from the ferry boats and not long after, a smaller urn was placed in the waiting area as well.

Now, more than 100 years have passed, and instead of providing just a simple Christmas dinner, the money raised at similar kettles on behalf of the Salvation Army is also used to provide clothing, shelter, toys, financial assistance and counseling year-round.

“The Salvation Army’s holiday fund-raising activities play a crucial role in sharing the spirit of the season with families in need,” said Captain Ruth Gibbons. “The Salvation Army does its best to ensure that no family goes without food, no child is without presents under the tree and that Christmas is a tie of hope and healing.”

As an added incentive to participate in this year’s Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army is planning a festive kick-off event on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the Cloquet Armory. Dinner will be provided by Taco John’s.

And so, search your hearts, rally your “troops,” sign up a team, join in on the fun – and become a part of history.

Contact publisher Wendy Johnson at wjohnson@pinejournal.com

Tags: salvation army, editorials, opinion, cloquet, charity