Constant Wonder Bells Ring Out for Charity - December 7
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Dec 7, 2025 David Hudson, a retired Salvation Army officer and former national commander, shares the origins and significance of the kettle tradition. He recounts how a simple soup pot evolved into a symbol of charitable giving. Hudson highlights the competitive spirit of generosity that bell ringers inspire, sharing heartwarming stories from the kettles. He emphasizes the power of giving during the Advent season, connecting it to hope and community. With anecdotes of lives touched through donations, Hudson reminds us of the enduring impact of kindness.
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Kettle Began With A Single Soup Pot
- Captain Joseph McPhee began collecting donations in a soup pot on an 1891 San Francisco wharf to fund a thousand free Christmas dinners.
- That simple kettle idea launched the Salvation Army's iconic fundraising tradition still seen today.
A Teenager Invented The Bell Tradition
- Sixteen-year-old Amelia Kunkel bought a 10-cent bell at Woolworth's and rang it beside a kettle in 1900 to attract donors.
- Her small bell immediately increased donations and started the bell-ringing tradition.
Kettle Links Celebration And Responsibility
- The kettle reminds people both of Christmas and of neighbors in need, linking celebration with communal responsibility.
- It also serves as a practical tool to teach children the habit and value of giving.