Salvation Army kettles overflowing with donations for the less fortunate, plus Salvation Army workers cheerily calling attention to their cause, add up to a very Merry Christmas for all. This is such a permanent fixture at Christmastime that when The Salvation Army at a local shopping centre in North Vancouver were told last year to leave their bells at home, a “Jingle Bell Controversy” erupted.
Local radio stations were flooded with phone calls protesting the imposed silence. Public opinion forced the shopping centre to reconsider, and volunteers like Cameron Yee were allowed to keep their bells ringing.
“I've stood by the kettles for 12 years now,” Cameron says, “because I believe in doing something for my neighbour.”
Christmas is Cameron's favourite time of year. He loves greeting passers-by and sharing the mission of The Salvation Army with them.
“People need an emotional anchor these days,” he believes. “A lot of people don't take the time to pause and reflect, slow down and get to know God.”
When Cameron first started working the kettles, he didn't see many other Asians volunteering.
“Most of them are unfamiliar with the history of The Salvation Army, but they're curious,” he says. “They'd ask why I was begging on the street!”
Cameron explains that when he was a boy, someone helped him with the English language and he will always remember that generosity. Now it's his turn to be generous with his time every Christmas season.
—Jayne Thurber-Smith
Philippe Hodder started bell ringing as a teenager in 1968 and says he'll do it until the day he dies. He mans a kettle at a supermarket in Toronto completely by himself.
“On more than one occasion,” says Joan Graham, the administrative secretary at a Salvation Army church in Toronto, “I've relieved him just long enough so he could get a short break and a bite to eat, and people would ask, 'Where is Philippe?' They're so used to seeing him that it's almost unheard of that anyone else would be in his place.”
Philippe welcomes any chance to use his public position as a prayer warrior.
“People feel they know me,” he says. “I've prayed with many people over the years, and I've seen lives changed for the better. People will see me in a coffee shop and remember me from Christmas. Even there, they will bring their prayer requests to me.” He feels Christmastime is the perfect opportunity to share his faith.
Though it may get frantic during the season, Philippe says it's very rare that someone is rushed and rude to him.
“If and when they are, I just smile and say, 'God bless you,' ” Philippe says.
—Jayne Thurber-Smith
There are kettle workers who tug at the heart strings and Sally Bodhaine is in that category.
“She is a wonderful volunteer, manning the red kettles for us for more than 20 years,” says Sgt-Major Fred Courtney of the Glace Bay, N.S., Salvation Army.
“She lost both her legs but still phoned me wanting to help. What she does is an encouragement to others who would volunteer.”
Sally, now 69, worked for 32 years at a nursing home, first as a personal care worker, later washing dishes in the kitchen. She retired in 2005. She also spent 20 years canvassing for the Army's Red Shield Appeal.
In 2006, she lost one of her legs due to poor circulation. She spent much of 2007 in the hospital in Halifax or at rehab, following an operation on her spine. In 2008, she suffered a second leg amputation.
However there were never any thoughts of not getting back behind the Salvation Army kettle, which she does at a local supermarket three days a week. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “People stop and tell me jokes. They're so generous. There aren't many who walk by without putting something in the kettle.
“A lot of people comment on how good The Salvation Army is at giving,” she continues. “Many say they've never been turned down by The Salvation Army when they needed help.”
The Army has always been part of Sally's life.
“I grew up in The Salvation Army,” she says. “My mother wore the uniform. I even got married in The Salvation Army.
“I have been doing the kettle campaign for 20 years now and I will keep doing it as long as I am able.”
—Sharon Montgomery-Dupe in the Cape Breton Post
Local radio stations were flooded with phone calls protesting the imposed silence. Public opinion forced the shopping centre to reconsider, and volunteers like Cameron Yee were allowed to keep their bells ringing.
Being Generous
“I've stood by the kettles for 12 years now,” Cameron says, “because I believe in doing something for my neighbour.”
Christmas is Cameron's favourite time of year. He loves greeting passers-by and sharing the mission of The Salvation Army with them.
“People need an emotional anchor these days,” he believes. “A lot of people don't take the time to pause and reflect, slow down and get to know God.”
When Cameron first started working the kettles, he didn't see many other Asians volunteering.
“Most of them are unfamiliar with the history of The Salvation Army, but they're curious,” he says. “They'd ask why I was begging on the street!”
Cameron explains that when he was a boy, someone helped him with the English language and he will always remember that generosity. Now it's his turn to be generous with his time every Christmas season.
—Jayne Thurber-Smith
One Man Show
Philippe Hodder started bell ringing as a teenager in 1968 and says he'll do it until the day he dies. He mans a kettle at a supermarket in Toronto completely by himself.
“On more than one occasion,” says Joan Graham, the administrative secretary at a Salvation Army church in Toronto, “I've relieved him just long enough so he could get a short break and a bite to eat, and people would ask, 'Where is Philippe?' They're so used to seeing him that it's almost unheard of that anyone else would be in his place.”
Philippe welcomes any chance to use his public position as a prayer warrior.
“People feel they know me,” he says. “I've prayed with many people over the years, and I've seen lives changed for the better. People will see me in a coffee shop and remember me from Christmas. Even there, they will bring their prayer requests to me.” He feels Christmastime is the perfect opportunity to share his faith.
Though it may get frantic during the season, Philippe says it's very rare that someone is rushed and rude to him.
“If and when they are, I just smile and say, 'God bless you,' ” Philippe says.
—Jayne Thurber-Smith
Twenty Years and Going Strong
There are kettle workers who tug at the heart strings and Sally Bodhaine is in that category.
“She is a wonderful volunteer, manning the red kettles for us for more than 20 years,” says Sgt-Major Fred Courtney of the Glace Bay, N.S., Salvation Army.
“She lost both her legs but still phoned me wanting to help. What she does is an encouragement to others who would volunteer.”
Sally, now 69, worked for 32 years at a nursing home, first as a personal care worker, later washing dishes in the kitchen. She retired in 2005. She also spent 20 years canvassing for the Army's Red Shield Appeal.
In 2006, she lost one of her legs due to poor circulation. She spent much of 2007 in the hospital in Halifax or at rehab, following an operation on her spine. In 2008, she suffered a second leg amputation.
However there were never any thoughts of not getting back behind the Salvation Army kettle, which she does at a local supermarket three days a week. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “People stop and tell me jokes. They're so generous. There aren't many who walk by without putting something in the kettle.
“A lot of people comment on how good The Salvation Army is at giving,” she continues. “Many say they've never been turned down by The Salvation Army when they needed help.”
The Army has always been part of Sally's life.
“I grew up in The Salvation Army,” she says. “My mother wore the uniform. I even got married in The Salvation Army.
“I have been doing the kettle campaign for 20 years now and I will keep doing it as long as I am able.”
—Sharon Montgomery-Dupe in the Cape Breton Post
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