RINGING IN THE SEASON

As much a Christmas fixture as carolers and frenzied shoppers, the Salvation Army's red kettles are observing their 100th anniversary this year.

The ringing bells have heralded the Christmas season for the past century, raising money to help those less fortunate during the holiday and throughout the year.

A Salvation Army captain began the tradition in San Francisco in December of 1891 to pay for free Christmas dinners for the poor.

The kettles were hailed as the newest and most novel device for collecting money.

A century later, the kettles are still one of the most effective ways of raising money, said Capt. Elmer Trapp with the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army. And instead of just providing Christmas dinners, the money raised is used throughout the year

The kettles generate about a third of the money for the Salvation Army's annual Tree of Lights campaign.

"The Christmas kettles give people an opportunity to give a larger amount of money. We are out ringing bells for 28 days. Maybe a person can't write a check for $50, but over 28 days, they might be able to donate more than that a little at a time."

Trapp said, "There are people who give large contributions at the kettles. We have found $100 bills and $50 bills. Those people would rather give through the kettle because it's anonymous."

Last Christmas, he said, a $10,000 check was deposited in a kettle in Belleville, Ill.

"The kettles have become a part of Christmas," he said. "Barbara Bush, our national Tree of Lights chairman, says she can't imagine Christmas without the Salvation Army."

The local Tree of Lights campaign is in critical condition. So far, $70,000 has been raised, about $10,000 behind where the campaign should be to reach its $100,000 goal by Christmas Eve.

Trapp, always an optimist, said, "This community has always come through for the Salvation Army. All we can go on is past experience, so we are confident that the community will come through for us again."

Bob Neff, chairman of the local Tree of Lights campaign, said he too is hopeful the remaining $30,000 can be raised.

"What I'm hoping for is that there are people holding back until this last week, waiting to see how we are doing and then basing their donations on where we are how far behind we are," Neff said.

"In years past, the community has always has come through whether it is a good business cycle or a bad business cycle," he said.

Neff said the Salvation Army's long track record is a big part of its success today.

"There are a lot of worthwhile organizations out there," he said. "But it seems people are a little more cautious about who they give to. The Salvation Army has incredibly low overhead; 97 cents on the dollar actually goes to the direct benefit of those who are in need. And all the dollars collected do stay in the Cape community."

Neff and Trapp both have been out ringing bells and collecting money at the kettles this year.

"It's terrific," Neff said. "It's especially heartwarming to see the kids tugging on the parents' sleeves, wanting to put money in the kettle.

"I finally figured out what the bells are for," Neff continued. "When you are getting out of your car, you hear the bells. You hear the bells well before you get to the front door and that gives you a chance to dig in your pocket before you get to the door."

Trapp said locally 3,300 people will receive Christmas assistance. On Friday, the Salvation Army gave toys to needy children. On Monday, the Christmas baskets will be packed and will be distributed Tuesday.

In addition, Salvation Army volunteers have visited 17 area nursing homes, bringing presents to about 1,200 elderly people. The army is also sponsoring Christmas parties.

"We collect the money at Christmas, but it is used throughout the year," Trapp said. "Our $100,000 goal is actually our budget for the coming year."

Neff said, "There will be 25,000 people walking through the door of the Salvation Army this year. That's an incredible number considering the size of our community."

Money collected at Christmas is spent by the Salvation Army for things like rental assistance, utility assistance, food, food vouchers, school supplies, clothing, blankets, fans, lodging for transients, prescription drug vouchers, transportation, and the Meals with Friends program.

Trapp said whatever a person might need, the Salvation Army tries to help.

"These are very basic needs," he said. "That's what we provide."

And often one boost from the Salvation Army can get a family back on its feet.

Trapp explained that last year the army computerized its list of families receiving Christmas assistance. This year it compared the list to see how many families were new or returning.

"We have almost as many families this year," he said. "But 450 families we helped last year, for some reason, didn't return this year. I'm sure some have moved away, but perhaps things have gotten better for some people.

"That's what we hope, that through our help and the help of all the people who donate to the Salvation Army, things in our community will be a little better."