Christmas kettle is The Salvation Army's most famous street campaign. It is most recognized during the Christmas season through its volunteers who stand outside of businesses and play or sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passersby to place donations of cash and checks inside the trademark red kettles.

History

A tradition on the "kettle" started in 1891, in San Francisco, by Captain Joseph McFee. Salvation Army officer Captain Joseph McFee, resolving to provide a free Christmas dinner to the poor of San Francisco remembered a sight he saw in Liverpool, England. From his days as a sailor McFee remembered a large pot displayed on the Stage Landing, called "Simpson's Pot." The pot took in donations put in by passersby. Taking this idea, McFee asked for permission from San Francisco city authorities to place a crab pot and tripod at the Oakland ferry landing. The kettle - and McFee's call of "Keep the Pot Boiling!" - drew in passengers and donations.

The idea spread, and is in use by many Salvation Army charities worldwide. Innovations from the crab pot have included self ringing kettles, booths that play Christmas music, and Credit Card capabilities.

Anonymous gold coin donations

A tradition has developed in the United States where, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles in which the bell ringers collect donations. The tradition appears to have started in the Midwest when the first known drop of a gold coin was put into a kettle in Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1982. Since this drop, many others have taken to dropping not only gold coins, but also other bullion and rare coins, gold medals, and jewelry.

Among some of the finds have included:

• Various Bullion coins.
• American Gold Eagle
• Krugerrand
• Rare Coins
• United States Quarter Eagle
• United States Double Eagle
• Counterfeit 1804 silver dollar.
• Jewelry
• ⅓-carat Diamond Ring.
• 5 Gold Rings (invoking the song The Twelve Days of Christmas)
• Check for $14,845.00
• Gold Teeth

In addition, Salvation Army Kettles have also collected worthless items like candy, lint, and other assorted trash.

Notes and references