Keith Urban To Kick-Off Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

 

Three-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban will be the featured performer at The Salvation Army’s Kettle Kickoff at halftime of the nationally televised Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game on November 25, 2010. Charlotte Jones Anderson, Executive Vice President Brand Management/ President of Charities for the Dallas Cowboys, made the announcement on ESPN’s Monday Night Football this evening.

As part of the Kettle Kickoff promotion, fans will have a chance to win an expense-paid trip to the game in Dallas versus the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints by signing up to be an Online Red Kettle virtual bell ringer at OnlineRedKettle.org. The game will air on FOX starting at 3:15 p.m. CST.

Keith Urban’s halftime show will mark the 14th year that the Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army have partnered together to raise money for people in need in communities across the country. During the Thanksgiving Day performance Urban is expected to play a number of his top hits, including his latest single “Put You in a Song” from his forthcoming CD Get Closer (in stores on November 16th). “I’m really honored to be a part of this great tradition and great partnership between the Dallas Cowboys and the Salvation Army,” said Urban. “It’s gonna be amazing playing in Cowboys Stadium in that environment at half time of the Thanksgiving game!”

As part of this year’s Kettle Kickoff, two fans will have the chance to win a trip to Dallas to see the game, by signing up to host an Online Red Kettle at www.OnlineRedKettle.org. The contest is free to enter and allows participants to work as a virtual bell ringer, recruiting friends, family and colleagues to support people in need across America by donating online. Fans who collect the most donations have a chance to win. Fans can sign up beginning October 25, 2010 and winners will be alerted on November 21, 2010. Complete rules and contest details are available online at OnlineRedKettle.org.

“This year, Keith Urban, one of the most popular music artists in the world, will kick-off the Red Kettle Campaign in style and we couldn’t be happier,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, recently announced as the new Chairperson of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board. “We know Keith’s drive to share his voice with others, will connect with and encourage the American public to give generously and support the important work being done by The Salvation Army.”

Over the last 13 years, the nationally televised halftime performance has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition for fans in attendance and viewers at home. The Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1.3 billion since the partnership began in 1997 and has helped The Salvation Army to serve 30 million people each year nationwide. Last year, the red kettles raised a record $139 million. Previous celebrity halftime performers include Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny’s Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

“The partnership between The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys is one that comes from the heart of the Jones family as part of their commitment to help  those in need during Christmas and year-round,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “Every year the opportunity for Salvation Army beneficiaries grows thanks to this great relationship, as well as the support of great musical talent like Keith Urban, allowing the Army to provide food, utility assistance, adult rehabilitation from alcohol and drug addiction, disaster relief and other services to nearly 30 million individuals in more than 5,000 communities nationwide every year.”

From its original beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2009, the campaign raised more than $139 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s  nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to nearly 30 million Americans in need.

In addition to physical kettles, donors can contribute online at SalvationArmyUSA.org or through a virtual red kettle on any number of corporate or individual websites and Facebook pages.

Look for us at Verizon Wireless Music Center

It’s time again for outdoor concerts and we’re thrilled to ring for Hoosiers in need before several of their concerts throughout the summer series. It’s a great way for us to bring in some extra dollars for our programs that help Hoosiers in need. And our volunteers get a little reward for giving their time in the summer sun – two free lawn tickets to that night’s concert. It’s a win-win!

So, if you’re planning on spending an evening under the stars enjoying your favorite band, look for us. We’ll be at the following concerts – Read more

Kiwanis sponsor intern program

This past Fall, the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis established an internship program in memory of Terry Shaffer, a long time Kiwanis member and supporter of The Salvation Army.  Terry volunteered countless hours ringing the bell at Salvation Army red kettles.  After his recent passing, Terry’s wife, Nancy, and fellow Kiwanis members decided to honor his life by finding new and creative ways to spread the word about The Salvation Army’s need for volunteer bell-ringers.

This morning, The Northwest Indianapolis Kiwanis Club celebrated the accomplishments of their first Salvation Army intern, Aquita Brown. Read more

‘Tis the season…a little early

A familiar sound greeted Walmart shoppers yesterday – the ringing of Salvation Army bells. Walmart kicked off the Christmas season a little early as they celebrated the opening of their new Walmart Christmas Shops. And to add to the festivities, they invited us to join them by ringing bells at each store across America. 

Each year, Walmart kicks off the season by announcing their partnership with The Salvation Army. So this past Thursday, the Walmart Foundation presented a $1.25 million check to Salvation Army National Commander, Commissioner Isreal Gaither at Walmart’s historic store #1 in Roger’s Arkansas.  The donation will be equally divided among Salvation Army units across the United States to help meet the basic needs of those hit hardest by our nation’s recent economic events.

Here in Indiana, our season starts on November 20 at our Tree of Lights campaign tree lighting ceremony on our front lawn. Once again, we are proud to partner with Walmart as our tree sponsor. And, after the tree is lit, you’ll see red kettles outside Walmart stores here in Indy and throughout Indiana.

To find out more about The Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights Campaign, visit IndyKettle.org. And if you’d like to help your neighbors in need by volunteering to ring a bell this Christmas, call Elizabeth at 224-1010.