Immediately a small crowd of autograph seekers gathered, and as they surrounded her she backed up against the bright red kettle on a tripod of the Salvation Army.

All three work for the Salvation Army, perhaps best known for its red kettles and ringing bells during the holidays.

In modern times, it is also cost-effective advertising, much like the red kettles.

There rose from the red kettle a stench of blood.

Anticipating that fund raising will be tougher this year, some of the army's red kettles were put in place before the campaign's official start.

Well-heeled businessmen, he added, discreetly slip $20 bills into the red kettle and walk away silently, not wanting to call attention to their deed.

Exemptions to this policy were previously made for the Salvation Army red kettles and bell-ringers outside Target stores during the holidays through Christmas.

Last year Nassau residents put $98,000 in the red kettles.

"People don't realize, a lot of people depend on those little red kettles," said Craig Evans, a spokesman for the Salvation Army.

A lady in a fur coat walked past and dropped a few coins into the red kettle.