Do you hear bells ringing? Perhaps you are getting married this December or maybe it’s just another angel getting its wings (think It’s a wonderful life), most likely it’s a Salvation Army bell ringer. Every year Americans willingly open up their wallets and give generously to those in need. You don’t have to be a philanthropist like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates to give. All gifts, whether they be small or large, of time or talent, goods or monies are graciously accepted locally as well as internationally.
The Salvation Army is just one of many charitable organizations whose presence can be found all around the world. It was founded in 1865 in London’s East End by William Booth, a Methodist minister and his wife Catherine. The original name of the organization was the East London Christian Mission. The Salvation Army name came about rather by accident when Booth, while dictating a letter to his secretary, George Scott Railton, said, “We are a volunteer army”. Booth’s son, Bramwell Booth, overheard the conversation and corrected his father saying, “Volunteer! I’m no volunteer. I’m a regular”. It was then the word “volunteer” was replaced with “salvation”. The Salvation Army was organized after the military. The organization adopted its own flag, music and ranks. William Booth as “General “preached to the poor and Catherine rallied support from the wealthy. The army branched out to the United States in 1880. Its reputation was greatly enhanced as a result of relief provided during the Galveston Hurricane in 1900 and the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906. The Salvation Army today can be found in 124 different countries. Its headquarters remain in London, England.
The Huffington Post reports Americans gave $291 billion to charity in 2010, up 4 percent from 2009. The economy, being what is, does not diminish the spirit of giving. Individual households, corporations and the giants like Buffett and Gates continue to give generously. Warren Buffett (chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway), Bill Gates (co-founder of Microsoft) and his wife Melinda, and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook’s CEO) have signed a promise to give at least half of their wealth to charity over time and they have invited others to do the same.
Your contributions can make a difference in the lives of people in need. America is hungry. Give to local food pantries. This is a great time of the year to donate--when the shelves are near empty. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the poor. Purchase an extra gift for the needy. Consider giving this season.
If you would like to read more about the Salvation Army, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerman or other celebrities who have made a difference in peoples’ lives check out the books listed below.
The General next to God; the story of William Booth and the Salvation Army by Richard Collier
In darkest England, and the way out [electronic resource] by William Booth
Blood and fire: William and Catherine Booth and their Salvation Army by Roy Hattersley
The snowball: Warren Buffett and the business of life by Alice Schroeder
Bill Gates: a twentieth-century life by Marc Aronson
The accidental billionaires: the founding of Facebook : a tale of sex, money, genius and betrayal by Ben Mezrich
Angelina : an unauthorized biography by Andrew Morton
Paul Newman : a life by Shawn Levy
Oprah: a biography by Kitty Kelley
Mother Teresa : come be my light by Mother Teresa
Barbra : the way she is by Christopher P. Andersen
Driven from within by Michael Jordan
If you would like to know more about a charitable organization check out the links below.
www.bbb.org/us/charity
http://www.charitywatch.org/
http://www.charitynavigator.org/
Picture courtesy of: http://www.libertychampion.com/2011/11/08/the-bells-will-ring-once-more/
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