On the eve of Christmas Eve’s eve, the Two Harbors Fire Department reported they were “on scene” at the local Super One. The crew wasn’t responding to an emergency this time. Instead, they were ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and judging from their faces, they seemed perfectly content to trade hoses for handbells for the evening.
Super One is one of the busiest spots in town during Christmas week, so the firefighters had no shortage of people to greet as they jingled the bells. Shoppers coming and going had the opportunity to drop donations into the red kettle, exchange a quick smile, or offer a Merry Christmas before heading in for groceries.
The Red Kettle campaign runs almost entirely on volunteers, and that’s what keeps it going year after year. Every shift is filled by someone willing to stand outside in December, greet neighbors, and give a little of their time. Some volunteers sign up once, others return every season with family members, co-workers, or friends, making it a small but steady holiday tradition.
The money collected in those kettles stays right here in the community. Donations help fund emergency assistance, food programs, and other support for local families who find themselves stretched thin during the winter months, when heating bills rise, groceries cost more, and unexpected expenses hit harder.
The tradition behind the red kettles is older than any of us. It began in 1891, when a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco needed money to feed people at Christmas. He set out a large iron pot on the wharf with a simple request for help. It worked, and the idea spread.
More than a century later, the iron pot has become a red kettle, and the handwritten sign has been replaced by volunteers willing to ring a bell in every kind of weather. The idea itself hasn’t changed much. One kettle, one bell, and a community willing to give what it can.
Last year, the Red Kettle campaign raised nearly $100 million across the country. The Salvation Army reports the organization helps more than 27 million people in America every year.
I always like seeing the volunteers, people from all walks of life, bundled up and genuinely happy to be there. Some sing, some chat, some offer a steady stream of greetings to anyone passing by. Even on days when my pockets are empty, I still walk away with a smile. There’s something reassuring about it, a reminder that some people show up simply to make sure others get the help they need.
In a season that can feel rushed and noisy, the kettles remain a small, familiar presence outside local stores. It’s simple, it’s local, and it still works. Thank you to all those who volunteer to ring the bell, including the Two Harbors Fire Department!
