Ringing the bell in Navasota
A special elf, Allison Chapman (left), and Robyn Taylor (right) share the Christmas spirit by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army red kettle campaign at Walmart in Navasota. Both are teachers at John C. Webb Elementary in Navasota. Taylor helped bring the campaign to Grimes County and serves as the red kettle coordinator.
For the first time, Salvation Army bells will be rung in Navasota as part of the iconic Salvation Army red kettle campaign.
The campaign began in 1891 by Captain Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army officer who was looking for a way to cover the cost of the community Christmas meal. Recalling his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, he recreated the “Simpson’s Pot”, an iron pot where charitable donations were placed by passersby.
Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing, at the foot of Market Street where it could be seen by all those going to and from the ferry boats. By 1895 the ‘kettle’ was used by 30 locations along the west coast and by 1897 the campaign was making its mark in east. That year, the kettle effort in Boston and other locations nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. The tradition continues still today. Sharing your donation at Christmastime helps The Salvation Army care for homeless and needy families, but also helps serve 30 million people through a myriad of other services all year.
Robyn Taylor, a kindergarten teacher at John C. Webb Elementary School in Navasota helped bring the red kettle locally and serves as coordinator for Grimes County. “I am so happy to help collect money for the community here,” said Taylor. “All money collected in the kettles will stay in the community to help with rent and utility assistance.”
Bell ringers will be located at Walmart in Navasota every Saturday through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and at the Navasota Home for the Holidays event in Navasota Saturday, Dec. 10. There have been numerous school groups from Navasota and Anderson, teachers, City of Navasota staff including Navasota Mayor Bert Miller who have volunteered to ring the bell. Volunteer opportunities are still available on Dec. 3, Dec. 17 and Dec. 24. Time slots are two hours.
Desktop kettles are also being placed around town at local businesses. Anyone that would like to volunteer as a bell ringer, or any business who would like to have a desktop kettle may do so by emailing Robyn Taylor, robyntaylor1979@gmail.com. To find out more about the Salvation Army and services they provide, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.