Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian evangelical denomination and, consequently, a charity and social services organisation, with international headquarters at 101 Queen Victoria Street London, England.

Thrift shops and charity

The Salvation Army is well-known for its network of thrift stores, which raise money for its charitable and religious activities by selling donated used goods such as clothing, housewares, etc.

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In many places across the USA and Canada, The Salvation Army is recognizable in the Christmas season for its volunteers who stand outside of businesses and ring bells to inspire passersby to give donations of cash and checks to the kettles. This campaign is conducted across North America every year, and generates several million dollars. An odd tradition has developed in the U.S., where, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles that the bell ringers collect donations in. This started in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Most of the donated coins are worth several hundred U.S. dollars. In New York City these bell ringers wear Santa Claus costumes.

Related Topics:
North America - Crystal Lake - Illinois - Chicago - New York City - Santa Claus

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