The National Commander’s Red Kettle Challenge

Christmas is around the corner and despite just celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ and celebrating with family and friends, it is also a time to share this time with others in the community and also around us. The Salvation Army National Commander, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, challenged Salvation Army officers, employees, community supporters and the like to raise more funds than him in a four-hour shift, December 9th with the goal to raise $1.5 million nationally! This challenge provided a fun and engaging opportunity to raise awareness and funds for your local Salvation Army.

One can participate by locating the nearest participating location in the map above to stop by and drop some money in kettle. The donations will be used to support hard-working families stay in their homes, provide food, shelter, and utilities to those in need in your community.

In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee wanted to feed 1,000 hungry individuals in San Francisco during the holidays. He was unsure of how to raise funds to buy food. He recalled in Liverpool, England there was a large, iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor. The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas. Thus began the Salvation Armies Red Kettle Campaign.