Just came home after kettling outside Tangs Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. After that my wife and I were invited out for lunch - a delicious Christmas lunch. We have committed ourselves to do kettling every Thursday.
The Origin of The Salvation Army Christmas Kettling
In 1891 Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco, USA was very determined to provide a free Christmas dinner for the poor. But where would he get the money? Then he recalled his younger days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. On the pier there had been a large pot called "Simpson's pot" into which people passing by would throw donations for charity.
The next day he got permission from the authorities to put a similar pot at the Oakland ferry pier where it could be seen by all. Thus a tradition was launched. By Christmas 1895 the Christmas kettle was used by 30 Salvation Army Corps in the West Coast States.
In 1898 The Salvation Army kettles were "the newest and most novel device for collecting money" report the New York World. In 1901 funds from the New York City's kettle provided the first mamoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden for the homeless. This custom continued for many years.
Kettles are now seen in many parts of the world - Korea, Japan, Chile and even here in Singapore. Everywhere, public contributions to the kettles enable the Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who would otherwise be forgotten - to the aged and lonely, the ill, the poor and unfortunate.
Kettles have changed since rthe first cauldron was set up in San Franscisco. Behind it all, though, is the same message. "Sharing is Caring"
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