By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
DEC. 6, 2024 | “Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling.”
These days you are hearing the Salvation Army bellringers time you get out of your car at many shopping arenas. These “ding-a-ling” sounds remind you to drop a few coins or dollars into the red kettles to help support others through the Salvation Army at Christmas.
It’s a 133-year-old tradition throughout our country. The kettle collections started accidentally in San Francisco in 1891 when a local Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee publicly promised to feed 1,000 destitute people near Fisherman’s Wharf.
To raise the money for this feed, McFee found an old lobster pot and came up with the slogan “Keep the pot boiling.” He then set up on the waterfront to offer the pot for people to chip in their change to feed those destitute.
The bell tradition began in 1900 with a teenage volunteer Amelia Kunkein New York City. She was apparently frustrated by the many bankers on Wall Street who walked by and ignored her. Kunkel went to a nearby Woolworth’s department store and bought a small bell for ten cents. The rest is history, with the Army’s kettles helping the needy in 131 countries. The money dropped into the kettles help make Christmas brighter for many.
Miller Sr.
We first found ourselves interested in the Salvation Army through the former National Commander Andy Miller, who had the top job in the USA. He had spent some of his years in Atlanta, and he and his wife decided to retire in Gwinnett County, where we met him.
What an inspirational leader he was! It was through him we learned that Salvation Army officers are not in their profession for money, but to serve others.
We found out that Commissioner Miller and his wife, while living in New York, were paid $33,000. (This was the time when the American Red Cross leader was paid $300,000). Other local Army officers also are paid accordingly. The salary structure tells you a whole lot about the way the Army operates. Year after year, the Salvation Army is the nation’s most respected charity.
Lately, lifestyle changes developed which has thrown the red kettle collections for a loop. Americans no longer keep cash in their pockets as they once did. Instead, many people no longer have pennies, dimes and dollars on them at all, but rely upon credit cards. With less cash in circulation, kettle collections have dropped. Yet the need to help our growing population, especially at Christmas, has widened. Is the Salvation Army’s efforts at providing aid from kettle collections being threatened? Yes. But the Army has found a new method for us to give.
You may have guessed it. Yes, you may now give to the Army through the internet, as many do. But listen to this twist: you can also help the Army now through online red kettles! You may hear the “ding-a-ling” in your ear when you start thinking of the online red kettles!
If you feel inclined to help others through the Salvation Army online red kettle, open your heart and your treasure and go to the following website which we have created.
When you give at this site, your gift will be matched up to $2,000 total, making your giving go even farther. Capt. Paul Ryerson of the Lawrenceville Salvation Army says that all of the money raised through this site will go to help people residing in Gwinnett County.
Please give and feel good about it.
Then hear the Salvation Army bell ringing in your ear: “Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling. Ding-a-ling!”
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