Bell ringers critical to Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, ringing opportunities exist in Pittsburgh's North Suburbs

This updated version corrects the addresses of the Walmart and Kuhn’s stores where bell ringers can sign up for a shift.

Back in the 1800s, when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was a sailor back in Liverpool, England, there was a big iron kettle called “The Simpson’s Pot” where passersby placed charitable donations.

McFee remembered that pot when he was looking for a way to help the hungry and cover the costs of a community Christmas meal in 1891 in San Francisco. He used the same idea by placing a big pot at the city’s Oakland Ferry at the foot of Market Street with a sign that read “Keep the Pot Boiling.”

By 1895 the ‘kettle’ was used by 30 locations along the West Coast, and by 1897 it was making its mark in the Eastern U.S., according to Nicole Harrell, spokesperson for the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania Division. That year, the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy.

“Donations to our Red Kettle Campaign allow us to continue serving those in need long after the Christmas season,” said Major Gregory Hartshorn, divisional commander for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania. “Our work would be impossible without the generosity of the community. We express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for helping The Salvation Army make a profound difference in the lives of families and individuals across Western Pennsylvania.”

Key to the campaign’s success is getting enough ringers.

“We are always in need of volunteers, as bell ringers are critical to the success of our Red Kettle Campaign,” Harrell said.

Ringing opportunities are still available in Pittsburgh’s North Suburbs.

Nationally, the Red Kettle kickoff this year was on Dolly Parton’s Thanksgiving Day halftime show during the Cowboys-Commanders game, Harrell said.

The program runs until Dec. 24.

All donations stay local, Harrell said.

The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division raised more than $2 million during last year’s Red Kettle Campaign and approximately 89 percent of the Division’s $2.294 million goal. In Allegheny County, The Salvation Army raised approximately $458,281, which was 81 percent of the County’s $565,500 goal, she said.

“So far, the Division has raised almost $648,000 across 28 counties, almost 28 percent of the total fundraising goal of $2.345 million. The fundraising goal for Allegheny County this year is $547,000. So far across the county, The Salvation Army has raised an estimated $131,346, 24 percent of the total goal for Allegheny,” Harrell said.

The Salvation Army implemented a new website this year for people to sign up. Potential volunteers can visit www.RegistertoRing.com to look for a location in Allegheny County and sign up for a shift. Volunteers also are encouraged to contact their local Salvation Army, Harrell said.

It’s easy to ring.

“Have fun. It is such a joyous season. We thank our dedicated volunteers for giving of their time and talents. Bell ringing is an all-ages activity, and it is wonderful to see groups of friends and families make this a yearly Christmas tradition,” Harrell said.

Nonprofit North Hills Community Outreach is participating in the kettle bell campaign through the Salvation Army as well, with some spots open for ringers for two-hour shifts at both Kuhn’s Market on 2412 Ferguson Rd. in Hampton, and at the Walmart at 300 Walmart Drive in Richland, according to Jeff Geissler, spokesperson for the NHCO.

The funds collected in NHCO’s kettles directly help people who come to NHCO for assistance, including helping prevent utility shut-offs and other financial emergencies, said Harriet Klatte, volunteer coordinator for NHCO.

The best way to get donations is simple, Geissler said.

“Be entertaining and engaging. We have ringers who play guitar, sing, play the ukulele,” he said.

Klatte suggests dressing up in festive attire, singing carols, playing holiday music or even juggling.

To help the NHCO’s kettle collection,volunteers can sign up through www.nhco.org.

Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can be made at a Red Kettle location or anytime virtually by visiting salvationarmywpa.org. New this year, donations can be made by texting the word “Kettle” to 31333. Donors can then reply with their ZIP code to ensure each donation goes directly into the community where they reside, Harrell said.