The Salvation Army 's reputation in the United States improved as a result of its disaster relief efforts following the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake . The familiar use of bell ringers to solicit donations from passers-by " helps complete the American portrait of Christmas . " In the U.S. alone , over 25,000 volunteers with red kettles are stationed near retail stores during the weeks preceding Christmas for fundraising . The church remains a highly visible and sometimes controversial presence in many parts of the world
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
The Salvation Army