By Jaimie Julia Winters
Volunteer bell ringer Michael volunteers to ring a bell at a Salvation Army kettle every day from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. He loves his post and knows that his smile and warm greeting encourage people to give more generously. His kettle alone raises nearly $10,000 each year to fund Salvation Army programs.
In Kearny, the Salvation Army Kearny Corps officially began its bell-ringing and kettle season on Nov. 24 with a welcome by Lt. Emily Betts and a mini concert by the infamous Salvation Army Brass Band on Kearny Avenue.
Throughout the holiday, shoppers will be greeted by bell ringers standing next to their red kettles, collecting donations for the good work the Salvation Army does for our neighbors.
Helping our neighbors
Located on Chestnut Street, the Kearny Corps is one of 29 centers in New Jersey that provide religious and social services to individuals and families in Harrison, East Newark, Kearny, North Arlington, and Lyndhurst. They offer food, programs, and community services to those in need.
The Salvation Army has always believed in nourishing both the body and the soul. It serves the Kearny area through worship services, Sunday school, and a food pantry that supplies free fresh produce, canned goods, and healthy frozen items at its Chesnut Street location.
For young residents, Kearny’s Salvation Army hosts various troops that provide character-building programs, such as Sunbeams, Explorers, Girl Guards, Rangers, and Honor Junior Soldiers. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered to assist individuals in improving their English skills.
Reflecting its dedication to music, the Kearny Salvation Army also offers Friday afternoon guitar classes. The organization has a global network of music groups, most notably brass bands, that play marches, hymn tunes, solos, and contemporary Christian arrangements. The bands and their music play a crucial role in spreading the gospel and engaging with communities. Today, their music endeavors also include choirs, jazz bands, and rock bands.
History: A military model to foster discipline and outreach
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 in London, England, by William and Catherine Booth as the “Christian Mission” to evangelize among the poor. They moved away from traditional church methods to address spiritual and social needs like food and shelter, and came out to meet the needy on the streets where most were afraid to go. According to the Salvation Army’s history, Booth realized that no one “could hear a preacher if his stomach was growling more loudly from hunger than the preacher could speak.” In 1878, the organization adopted the name Salvation Army and embraced a military model to foster discipline and outreach. This branding, including uniforms and brass bands, appealed to the public during the British Empire.
The Salvation Army reached the United States in March 1880, when Commissioner George Scott Railton and seven officers arrived in New York City. The missions soon spread throughout the U.S., including in Kearny.
The Salvation Army red kettle campaign began in 1891 when Captain Joseph McFee sought to fund a community Christmas meal. Inspired by his time as a sailor in Liverpool, he placed a donation pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing in San Francisco. By 1895, the idea had spread to 30 locations on the West Coast, and by 1897, it reached the East. That year, the campaign helped provide 150,000 Christmas dinners for those in need, and the tradition continues today.
Along with donating to the kettle pot, in-person volunteers are always needed. Visit the Kearny Corps website to fill out a volunteer form or call 201-991-1115. If you are in need of services, call 201-991-1115.
Top photo by Lorie Shaull.
