The History of the Red Kettle

In 1891, a Salvation Army captain in an Fransisco resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area's poor.
From his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, the captain remembered a large pot, displayed on the Stage Landing, called" Simpson's Pot," where passerby would toss charitable donations. The captain presented his idea to the city authorities and received permission to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing at the foot of San Fransisco's Market Place. In its conspicuous position, the pot drew the attention of people going to and from the ferry boats. Another urn, in the ferryboat waiting room, also attracted donations. Thus, Captain Joseph McFee launched a tradition that spread throughout the United States and then the world.
By Christmas 1895, thirty Salvation Army corps in the West Coast area used the kettle. That year, The Sacramento Bee published a description of the Army's Christmas activities and mentioned the contributions. Two young Salvation Army officers, William A. McIntyre and N.J. Lewis, instrumental in the original use of the kettle, took the idea to the East Coast. In 1897, McIntyre prepared his Christmas plans for Boston around the kettle.
Other Army officers did not want to participate for fear of " making spectacles of themselves."
Nevertheless, McIntyre, with his wife and sister set up three kettles on Washington Street in the heart of the city. That year the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy.
In 1898, the New York World hailed the Salvation Army kettles as "the newest and most novel device for collecting money. The newspaper also observed, "There is a man in charge to see that contributions are not stolen."
In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today, families are often given grocery checks or food baskets so they can prepare dinner at home. The homeless poor are still invited to share holiday dinners and festivities at hundreds of Salvation Army centers.
Kettles now are used around the world, including Korea, Japan, Chile and Europe.

Mehlville Fire Board Meeting This Tuesday

Mehlville Fire Protection District Agenda
Directors' Meeting December 9, 2008
MFPD Conference Room
11020 Mueller Road

Aaron Hilmer Bonnie Stegman Ed Ryan
Chairman Treasurer Secretary


CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M.


PAYMENT OF BILLS NOVEMBER 24, 2008


OLD BUSINESS
Pumper Bids


NEW BUSINESS


PUBLIC COMMENTS


BOARD VOTE ON CLOSED SESSION
OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT

CLOSED SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING OPEN SESSION
Personnel
Legal

CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT

(Individuals wishing to make comments should fill out a Speaker's Card and turn it in to the Chairman before the meeting. )
The District's Training Facility and Conference Room are handicapped accessible. If you need any special accommodations, please contact 314.894.0420, extension 1713 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Posted 12/5/2008 @ 1600

A Reply From the Mehlville Fire Department

Mr. Heins:
Please note that Chief Silvernail receives a salary of $100,000.00 per year. At one point, I believe the Chief turned down a raise, but the contract inaccurately reflected the proposed salary rather than the actual salary of $100,000.00 per year. I apologize for the confusion.
Matt Hoffman

Hoffman & Slocomb, LLC

1115 Locust Street, 4th Floor
St. Louis, MO 63101