The Salvation Army is known for its Red Kettles at Christmas. However, they provide only a fraction of the funds required for us to provide essential services year round. It takes the support of the entire Washtenaw County community to continue providing the critical services that help us change lives. Whether you make a donation of time or money, you are helping to create impact in the lives of our neighbors in need.
The most visible for The Salvation Army's symbols,
The Christmas Kettle
THE THE HISTORY OF THE RED KETTLE
The kettle first appeared on the streets of San Francisco in the early 1890s. Brainchild of Captain (or Major) Joseph McFee, the kettles were used in a campaign to raise funds for a shelter in the waterfront district. Captain McFee suspended a large cooking pot from a tripod and place a sign above it that read: Keep the pot boiling. Shortly thereafter, Christmas kettles began appearing in communities across the United States and are now an indispensable part of the holiday season.
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The red kettles seen on street corners and in front of shops throughout the Christmas season are perhaps the most quickly recognized symbol of The Salvation Army. The many "bellringers" who volunteer their time to encourage donations into these red kettles are quiet heroes to the communities they serve.
If you're interested in volunteering to ring the bells: please sign up under VOLUNTEER: and pick your site, your date, and for how long you would like to ring the bells. Thank you.
Nationally, The Salvation Army uses an average of $.83 of every dollar donated to provide a food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing, a family shelter, transitional housing and counseling for veterans, character building for youth, camp programs, emergency and disaster relief, utility assistance and eviction prevention. If you would like to learn more about how you or your group can help out this year, please contact Debra Molitor at (734) 668-8353 ext. 217.