BOB ABERNETHY: Not only is this a season for giving thanks, it's also a season for giving. No doubt your mailbox is filling up with solicitations for charitable donations. And those familiar Salvation Army kettles are reappearing. Americans contributed a billion dollars to the Salvation Army last year, more money than to any other charity. What's behind the success of this organization that's more than a century and a quarter old? We asked Bob Faw of NBC News to take a look.BOB FAW: The Salvation Army has always been bold and brassy, quaint and austere, and it still is. But today, the army is more than street-corner carols and frumpy uniforms. It is recovering alcoholic and one-time gourmet cook Ken Sherwood, now cooking for the army, one of its 40,000 employees.
KEN SHERWOOD: It wasn't until I got to the Salvation Army that they put in the missing key, and that missing key was God.FAW: This is also the Salvation Army, a worship service in one of the army's 10,000 centers, which it operates in 103 countries.
Unidentified Woman: I just had a good time praising the Lord today. I just enjoyed it, I really did.
FAW: It has long been lampooned on Hollywood and Broadway, but 132 years ago, it was no laughing matter for its founder, William Booth, a British evangelist. He considered his followers crusaders against sin, to instill discipline patterned after an army with military garb, rank, even chain of command.
From a handful, the army has become a colossus. In one year, it serves 15 million meals, makes nearly six million visits to hospitals and nursing homes, helps another two and a half million people in natural disasters. From the Salvation Army, Heather Arlene Osborne got food and toys for her daughter, Megan.HEATHER ARLENE OSBORNE: We had no other place to turn. You know, we were flat broke when we received the food also. I don't feel like there are strings attached when we receive help from the Salvation Army.
FAW: And there to help people like Heather and Megan are 25,000 uniformed officers worldwide whom the army trains, ordains, and carefully monitors, like Norfolk, Virginia area commander Captain Rick Michaels.
Captain RICK MICHAELS: I grew up in the Salvation Army, and I used to be afraid that some of my friends might see it.
FAW: Not anymore. From the set of a local television studio or a service club downtown, Rick Michaels is always flying the army banner.
Capt. MICHAELS: We do about five or six different types of things each day. I'm rarely in the office.
FAW: And just as busy is his wife, Connie. That's Salvation Army Captain Connie Michaels, area coordinator of women's activities.
Capt. MICHAELS: I don't remember consciously thinking too much about it. I guess maybe, if I had thought or dwelled on it too long, I might have backed out. But it's been great. I can't complain.
