The year was 1891. Captain Jospeh McFee of The Salvation Army San Francisco, USA wanted to provide a free Christmas Dinner for about a thousand people. Good thought but where was he to get the funds to do this charitable deed?
He pondered over this vision and his mind went back to the days when he was a sailor in Liverpool, England. He remembered seeing on the stage landing a large pot called "Simpson's Pot." Passers by dropped donations into this pot.
The next morning, he obtained permission from the authorities to place a similar pot conspicuously at the Oakland Ferry landing, at the foot of Market Street. It attracted the attention of the people and they placed their donations into this pot. He collected enough for the project. His vision was realized and the poor and needy enjoyed a special Christmas dinner.
Christmas kettling spread to other parts of USA. Soon other territories including Singapore copied the idea to raise finds during this time to help the needy in our many centres.
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