It’s a familiar sight around the holidays – you see them when you are out shopping and nearly everyone is familiar with the “Red Kettles” that are manned by “bell-ringers.”

The history of the red kettle goes back to 1891 when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome – funding the project.  McFee recalled seeing a kettle at a local shipyard where sailors would drop coins to help out the poor.

Since that time, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettles have become a holiday tradition. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.

The Salvation Army in Rome, which also serves Chattooga County, says that they are in need of “bell ringers” for this holiday season.  They say if you and your family, co-workers, civic group or church group could volunteer some time to ring the bell at a kettle, you can call the Salvation Army office at 706-291-4745 and speak to Cathy.