Positivity: Salvation Army begins holiday fundraiser

Since 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has been a holiday fixture:

On Thursday afternoon, Bill Oliver hopped out of a white Salvation Army van and tucked under his arm the unofficial harbingers of the holiday season: a red tripod.

It is this tripod — and nearly two dozen others just like it — that today will begin hoisting the red kettles used to raise money nationwide for needy Americans during the holiday season.

Today is the Red Kettle Campaign kickoff, as Salvation Army officials and benefactors will launch the fundraising drive with a ceremony in the Panama City Mall. The goal this year is to raise $100,000 — the same goal as 2004, which was exceeded by nearly $10,000.

In addition to the Red Kettle Campaign, Salvation Army officials will begin setting up Angel Trees throughout the county on Sunday. Angel Trees help needy children receive toys during the holiday season. This year’s campaign will begin at 6 p.m. at Toys R Us on 23rd Street, where the store will open exclusively for shoppers wishing to purchase toys for Angel Tree children.

For more than 100 years, the sight of red kettles and sweet sound of ringing bells has helped welcome the holiday season, as the tradition grew from an effort to raise pocket change into a nationwide goodwill drive.

In 1891, Capt. Joe McFee set up a community pot in San Francisco to collect change for the needy during the holiday season. The idea grew quickly and expanded across the country, with the Red Kettle Campaign raising tens of millions of dollars each year.

….. “It’s that time of year again,” Oliver said with a smile.