LAKE COUNTY ? The holiday season is upon us and The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers for its Red Kettle Program. Bell ringers and season greeters are being sought. Bell ringers are needed for two hour shifts at locations throughout Lake County from Nov. 27 through Christmas Eve.
Many are likely familiar with The Salvation Army”s Red Kettle Program as it has been a traditional part of the holiday scene since 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee placed the first kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing.
“The Red Kettle Program is our only fund-raising event,” Barbara Ringenberg, Lake County Service Center coordinator said. “We depend on its success to provide needed services directly to our communities in Lake County.”
In 1891, McFee recognized a need among the many poor individuals of San Francisco who were going hungry and committed himself to providing a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. As he pondered the issues and wondered how the fund the effort his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called “Simpson”s Pot” into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.
McFee took the idea and placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing and soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas.
According to The Salvation Army, six years later the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. “That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy,” the organization”s Web site states. “Today in the US, The Salvation Army assists more than 4.5 million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.”
Captain McFee”s kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States but all across the world. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. Everywhere, public contributions to The Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.
Ringenberg said there are several options for volunteering with the organization. Business owners can choose to be sponsor and place a kettle at their location for their employees and clients on scheduled days and times. Businesses as well as individuals are also encouraged to host at toy drive holiday party in which guests bring gifts to contribute to the organization. Ringenberg commended Shoreline Realty”s commitment to host such a party. “They want all their donations go to children in shelters,” she said “to make sure no children are underserved.”
Ringenberg also commended Linda Scarafiotti of 3 Angels Child and Family Services who has offered her time and effort to coordinate volunteers in the Nice, Lucerne and north shore areas. Jennifer Smith is serving as volunteer coordinator in the Hidden Valley Lake area.
High school students are encouraged to contribute as well. “High school students can work as a bell-ringing team and earn credits toward their community service hours,” Ringenberg said. “There are so many ways to help us help others and at the same time you and your family will enjoy the season and the knowledge that you”re helping to change lives. We can not have a successful season of sharing, of giving, of hope without caring individuals. Our volunteers are our greatest asset.”
Proceeds and contributions help provide toys, food, utility assistance, disaster assistance, summer camp and back-to-school programs directly to Lake County residents and families. “Money raised in your community says in your community to provide help to your neighbors who may find themselves in need during this Season of Sharing and throughout the coming year,” Ringenberg said.
For more information regarding the Red Kettle Program and other volunteer opportunities with The Salvation Army, contact Barbara Ringenberg at the Lake County Service Center, 995-1128.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
