Christian Troops Mobilize for Poor

Insight on the News, Dec 21, 1998 by Kelly Patricia O'Meara

'Tis the season of the red kettles and silver bells. But in the all-volunteer Salvation Army, `need knows no season,' and this Christian soldiers are on duty 365 days a year.

Twenty thousand strong, equipped with bright-red kettles, shiny silver bells and a devout faith in God, the Salvation Army once again has mobilized. And this volunteer army of Christian soldiers is strategically positioned and eager to confront its old enemies -- Satan's friends hunger, poverty and hopelessness.

The Salvation Army's most important campaign, the Annual Christmas Appeal, is in full swing. Civilians recognize the effort by the red kettles set up on city street corners and inside shopping malls. And though many people have been touched by the donations generated through the kettle drive, few are aware of its origin.

In 1891 a Salvation Army captain, determined to provide a free Christmas dinner to the poor in Oakland, Calif., had no way to pay for it. Thinking back on his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, the captain recalled a large pot that was set up on the docks for donations at Christmas. He obtained the appropriate permission and placed a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing. Within three years the idea had spread throughout the United States and since has become a holiday tradition and symbol of giving throughout the world.

Last year, $75 million was dropped into those kettles, enabling nearly 7 million of the less fortunate to experience a touch of the spirit of the Christmas season. Mostly this comes in the form of simple things many take for granted -- a hot meal, warm clothing and a few toys for children.

Opa Clegg Jr., a seven-year veteran bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, stands his post at a neighborhood food store in Alexandria, Va. Fixed beside the red kettle, his bell in constant motion, Clegg offers a smile and a cheery greeting to passersby 10 hours a day. "Good morning, Sir," or "Good day, Miss," Clegg says to shopper's as they enter the store. Just as eagerly he wishes them "Happy holidays" and a sincere "God bless you" as the hurried shoppers pause to drop a donation.

Clegg believes in the mission of the Salvation Army. "I've been down that road and I've learned. I've wondered and I've been discouraged. Helping people get back on the straight and narrow -- that's salvation to me," he says.

A soldier on the front lines, Clegg stands guard at one of 28 posts the Alexandria Corps staffs for the 31 days of the Christmas season. Lt. Rob Webb, Clegg's superior officer, knows what it takes. "The personality of our bell-ringers is the most important part. When you have a person who is pleasant there's no need to ask for donations. Generally people will just want to give," he says.

On average, Clegg's daily kettle donations total $200 to $300, a relatively small percentage of this year's goal of $150,000 needed to fund some of the year-round programs offered by the Alexandria Corps. And while additional monies are made available from division headquarters, it is the policy of the Salvation Army that the local corps must pay its own way. The donations collected in Alexandria stay within that corps and are used to pay not only for the Thanksgiving and Christmas projects, but also a dozen other programs that help the poor throughout the year.

Three hundred $30 vouchers to be used at a local food store will be given to needy families in Alexandria this, Thanksgiving, and 1,000 families will receive food, clothing and toys at Christmas. But the holiday programs are just part of Salvation Army efforts wherever it is active.

Webb oversees the Alexandria Corps, and the programs under his command require an enormous amount of community support. For instance, 1,100 people were provided shelter in 1997 through the Alexandria Corps Homeless Services program, and more than 200 participated in Transitional Housing, a program to help motivated homeless families move from emergency shelter to independent living.

Webb's corps also offers bag lunches every day to anyone in need and hot meals to the families that reside in their shelters. It's a daunting task, but Webb sees his work as a Christlike way to help people get back on their feet. "We're offering a hand up, not a handout. You can't tell people about the word of God if they're hungry and their needs haven't been met. I think we're making a difference, and that's all that matters" he says.

A similar game plan unfolds at the Washington Southeast Corps in the district, where Lt. Mark Banks arrives ready for duty at 5:30 a.m. and doesn't get home until well after his children are asleep. He has his hands full from the moment he arrives, personally preparing breakfast for 40 people daffy and dinner for 70 people three nights a week.

Beyond acting as the Southeast Corps chief cook and bottle-washer, Banks also organizes and participates in afterschool programs where tutoring and music lessons are made available to the young people of this desperately poor part of the capital city. He believes that just being there can make all the difference and sees the Southeast Corps as a safe haven. "It's a place where anyone, young or old, can come in out of the cold," he says.