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The history of The Salvation Army began its journey in Canada 1882 just 15 years after the confederation in Ontario. Mr. William Booth became the founder that was adopted by the Canada Army. Before that, Booth, a Methodist minister in the mid-eighteen hundreds, noticed that ‘undesirables’ of British society were not genuinely welcomed to worship in many religious institutions. Unmarried pregnant women were abandoned on London's streets; those with addictions to alcohol and drugs had nowhere to turn, and the hungry, poor and homeless were truly ignored. He felt a strong compassion for these forgotten people and took his mission out into the streets amongst them. Booth recognized that the impoverished, downtrodden of society first needed to be fed, secondly have their personal dignity restored and then he could reach their spirits. Hence the phrase “soup, soap and salvation”. He became a powerful advocate of the underprivileged. While women weep, as they do now, I'll Fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll Fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll Fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll Fight, I'll fight to the very end!" --William Booth And fight he did. Sometimes literally. He, along with a small group of supporters including his wife Catherine, was often assaulted by those disagreeing with their mandate. They were pelted by rocks, food anything that rabble-rousers could get their angry hands upon. One story goes that a band of musicians was hired to play music to distract the crowds from public chaos and so the Salvation Army Band began. Despite huge social obstacles, support of this new church began to spread from one country to another. A Red Kettle Lesson
My father-in-law had a special fondness for The Salvation Army. When he came home after WW2 with his war bride and new baby in tow, it was this agency that particularly helped the young family up on their feet. They were offered simple, practical acts of kindness--blankets, clothing and some assistance finding housing. As they raised their family both parents often spoke highly of The Salvation Army, and never ceased to pass a Red Kettle without making a donation and encouraging their children to give as well. Many years have passed since 1945. That family grew up, and worked through life changes and transitions. The children all had offspring of their own now in various stages of adulthood themselves. Sadly, the veteran and his war bride both have passed on. Although they are missed, they did leave a legacy of caring for family and lessons to remember those that helped them. A few years ago, my husband volunteered for The Salvation Army in memory of his Dad, by taking a turn at the Christmas Kettle in front of a local merchants’ store. He dressed up in a Santa suit that I had bought him for that particular occasion. Since we are from a small town and my husband is very involved community-wise, it was novel that he should be incognito carrying out this special mission. It turned out to be more of a learning experience for him than he expected. He shook his bells, handed out candy and wished people a hardy Merry Christmas. Many he addressed by name, and was amused by a look of puzzlement as they tried to figure out who the chubby man in the red suit was. There was something else he noticed too. How people responded. Some were kind, friendly and gave freely. Others which could have been generous or courteous--ignored him. It was to his amazement some who could least afford to give, turned out to be the most bighearted. While those, who’d usually stop him in the street to chat about a committee concern or political interest, quickly passed by giving nothing but another insight into their personalities. One family particularly stood out amongst the crowd that day. My husband, recognizing a number of people from the same family noticed how they all stopped to make donations and encouraged their very young to give also. So he took his role as Santa one step further, and wrote an anonymous letter to their parents complimenting them on raising such a caring group of people. Years later we attended a wedding and happened to sit with these people. My husband in the course of conversation inadvertently let the cat out of the bag. After a number of years of wondering, their mother smiled widely--there was a twinkle in her eyes. Now she knew a secret too.
The "Feel Good" of Giving
At Christmas time it’s easy to forget there are those who will not share in your joy of the holiday season. A husband has lost his job and is having trouble providing for his family; a single mom is trying to raise her kids wondering where their next meal will come from; children with empty bellies will not have a Christmas tree, let alone receive a gift from Santa. The sorrow of not being able to fulfill even the most basic of needs is great and leaves no room for celebration. Often, the negative forces in this world are more evident than the positive. Reaching out for help is difficult and degrading but receiving it renews a love or kinship with the world and a faith in your fellowman that may long have been forgotten. Look around to see where your gifts of love and compassion are needed. Not only is it “better to give than to receive” but it’s beneficial for your health and well-being. People who are “giving” or who volunteer have actually seen improvement with such health issues as heart disease, asthma, insomnia, immune resistance and stress levels. Neuroscience researchers have studied the effects of giving on the brain and results show that it increases the levels of a feel good chemical called dopamine. So forget about alcohol to get you through the holidays, this simple act is all that’s needed for a natural high. Giving encompasses a whole range of acts from donating financially to your favourite charity to physically helping those in your own backyard. Volunteering your time and money is a perfect way to help those in need whether it’s for a particular cause, organization or offering a specific product or service. It may mean putting gift boxes together for children in other countries through your church, serving dinner at a local shelter or donating food items to a food bank. Your services could be useful in getting a parishioner to that church, a family to that shelter or food to that bank. Maybe you know a nearby senior that can’t manage to clear the snow from their walk or has no means to get-out-and-about; the benefits are two-fold when you consider the exercise involved in shoveling snow and the feeling of strength from helping those less-able. Perhaps a neighbourhood family is down on their luck and needs a little assistance just surviving all of the festive Hub-Bub; anonymous offerings leave their pride intact and your heart bursting with joy at the fact that you can really make a difference in someone else’s life. Many retailers have donation bins handy for food, clothing or toys during the holidays so contributing to your community is easy. Think about some of those unused gifts you have stored away and “re-gifting” becomes another generous option to those who could really use it. Christmas is loaded with opportunities to get in on such an abundant health benefit that you can get a steady supply of throughout the year. There are good samaritans all around us, each and every day, and nothing brings more reward than joining the “Feel Good” team.
Calling Of The Bells
The Salvation Army is so much more than Thrift Stores or their representatives jingling bells at the Red Kettle stanchions they are most known for. Their mandate is to help “victims of circumstance” in a non-judgemental, compassionate and dignified manner. Although they are also a church and promote the Gospel of Jesus, they have become one of the largest social service agencies (outside of governments) in the world. They are among the first Emergency Response groups in natural or manmade disaster, and arrived early at ground zero during 9/11 to hand out nourishment to the rescue teams, to embrace the dazed and confused and to offer prayerful compassion to families of the lost. They brought clothing and supplies into areas destroyed by Katrina and rolled up their sleeves to help clear debris and lend a hand after the 2004 Tsunami. Beyond all of these high profile situations, (and many others) quietly, behind the scenes in countless communities across the globe, The Salvation Army offers family assistance programs, youth services, safe houses, family tracing, palliative care, drug/alcohol rehabilitation, corrections & justice services, youth parenting resources, food, clothing and shelter assistance every single day. When you are out and about this holiday, listen to the calling of the bells. Bells are a gentle and non-aggressive reminder to be kind, charitable and considerate while we bustle about distracted from our own humanity. By helping The Salvation Army, we help ourselves. (We are not affiliated with The Salvation Army, nor any other agency, but are appreciative of the great work they do in our society.)
Remembering Our Soldiers
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
“Wishes For The Poor”
The Salvation Army’s work became a vital part of the spiritual and social services life of the country that now is Canada. Across the globe The Salvation Army has assisted many families for centuries also helping individuals from the homeless to inmates. By becoming supportive and non-judgmental the "Sally Ann" can provide effective ways in helping those in need. In their eyes and hearts every one matters and through the spreading of God’s words as well as offering social service programs, people can get back on their feet to a more secure and fulfilling life. Every year December 25th is celebrated because Jesus Christ was born and The Salvation Army works extremely hard in providing a happy Christmas to those in need of assistance. Every dollar donated gives aid to the needy, and helps seniors in keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. The donation provides Christmas dinner, clothing and children's toys for many families. The Sally Ann also provides financial assistance for the basic necessities of life. Many volunteers help to distribute gifts in hospitals, nursing homes and shelters for a sit down meal. Beyond Christmas, many families receive support who are struggling with difficulties, emotional or employment problems. At the moment in The Salvation Army has provided plenty of aid to assist the soldiers during both wars and throughout the cold war. Comfort, hot beverages and snacks were kind gestures shown to Canadian military personnel overseas. There was also help by establishing leave centers for rest and recreation. They believed in the civility and humanity under those extremities by providing a “home away from home atmosphere " for
The “Red Kettle” originated back in 1891. Joseph McFee recalled that back in Liverpool when he was a soldier, passers-by tossed money in a stewing pot known as the “Simpson’s Pot” for charitable donations. Captain McFee needed a miracle to make a 1000 Christmas dinners come true for San Francisco’s poorest inhabitants. He needed and received permission to place a pot at Oakland ferry landing and put a sign to urge people to ‘Keep the Pot Boiling” It was an instant hit and Joseph McFee, as promised, had enough funds to provide the 1000 Christmas dinners that year. In 1895, the kettle idea was put into operation within The Salvation Army corps of the west area. It quickly spread to the eastern U.S.A. by 2 officers, William McIntyre and N. Lewis. McIntyre swiftly headed to Boston and used the ‘Kettle” to collect donations. Back then soldiers hesitated to assist William McIntyre in fear of being ridiculed. From lack of support his sister helped him to place 3 kettles throughout Washington Streets in the city center. In the United States over 150,000 Christmas dinners were provided for the needy, thanks to the concept of the 'Collecting Kettle.' By 1901, in NewYork City the kettle donations provided enough money for the first huge Christmas dinner in Madison Square Garden which has continued for many years. Today, The Salvation Army hands out grocery vouchers so the needy can prepare their own Christmas meals. They still put on Christmas dinners for the homeless throughout the Salvation Army corps centers. All thanks go out to the man, Joseph McFee, for his determination and creative mind in raising donations for those early Christmas Dinners--his wishes for the poor.
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