For 25 years, The Salvation Army has partnered with the Dallas Cowboys and The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation to kick off the annual Red Kettle Campaign with the Red Kettle Kickoff, providing America’s most vulnerable with food, shelter and other support throughout the year.

In the 25th year of the Red Kettle Kickoff, The Salvation Army is kicking off the 131st Red Kettle Campaign with the theme of “Hope Marches On,” with its aim to support millions of hardworking families in need who are struggling with rent and mortgage and facing eviction. 

The Red Kettle Campaign is kicked off on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium in Dallas with a special live nationally televised halftime performance. The National Commander, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, is accompanied by executives from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation, including Charlotte Jones Anderson, who serves as the Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President and has previously served as the Chairman of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, to present the halftime performer and to kick off the Campaign. Since its inception in 1997, some halftime performers have been Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers, Ellie Goulding and most recently in 2020, Kane Brown. 

The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind. The 2020 campaign raised $557 million and supported services to more than 30 million Americans.

Days before and after the Red Kettle Kickoff, the entire Cowboys organization including players, coaches and other staff join The Salvation Army in supporting the local communities including helping with the Angel Tree in the local Dallas area and buying toys and presents for children and families in need. 

The Salvation Army raises money for services and programs for the local Salvation Army programs and corps (churches) throughout the year. The funds raised in each community the   campaign are dedicated to best serve that community. Services include Christmas services (Angel Tree), food, emergency and transitional shelter, job training, financial assistance, day care and after school care, youth recreation and development programs.

“Rock the Red Kettle” Special Wins A Telly Award

The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens, has announced this year’s winners, which includes a Bronze Telly Award to The Salvation Army for the 2020 Rock the Red Kettle Special, in partnership with Sony Music Nashville and Sinclair Broadcast Group. The special supported an effort to rescue Christmas (in 2020) for millions of Americans facing increased need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Level Up!

Youth in the USA Southern Territory gathered in Atlanta this past September for the annual Territorial Young Adult Retreat. The theme, “Level Up,” promises a time of worship and fellowship with other young adults from across the territory. 

Follow @youthdownsouth on Instagram for photos of the event.

The Journey of the Morristown Echelon Chapter

The journey of the Morristown Echelon chapter has been one with many twists and turns. 

Majors Hollie and Sebastian Leonardi first approached Sebastian Galvez back in 2019 to help create an Echelon chapter in Morristown, NJ. No one could have predicted that only a couple of months later, the world would be hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. All plans were put on hold as we adjusted to this new way of life. However, by the grace of God, this new endeavor was able to start again this year. 

Since then, the Morristown Echelon chapter has grown to 13 members and is led by five young professionals working in industries such as healthcare, insurance and finance. In August, the chapter had their in-person kickoff event where attendees were able to network, learn about The Salvation Army’s mission and tour the operations at the Morristown Corps. It has also recently launched its official Instagram account, @Morristown_Echelon, which quickly neared 100 followers in the first two weeks! The chapter is planning various volunteer opportunities to support the efforts of the Angel Tree Toy Drive and the Red Kettle Campaign. The Morristown Echelon chapter is eager to begin making a positive impact for the community of Morristown!

By Sebastian Galvez, President of the Echelon of Morristown, NJ

Hurricane Ida

In the southern states of the USA, The Salvation Army is engaged in a huge response to help people affected by Hurricane Ida, a category 4 hurricane which made landfall on August 29. At the time of writing (September 2021), one million people were still without power, and teams are assessing the damage caused by high winds and flooding. 

“Power is still out in Louisiana and many parts of Mississippi and now the states are experiencing rising temperatures,” says Jeff Jellets, Emergency Disaster Services Director of The Salvation Army’s USA Southern Territory. “Our teams are equipped with supplies, food and water and are prepared to provide emotional and spiritual support to our neighbors.”

By the end of August 31, 140,000 meals were already prepared for distribution and 38 mobile feeding units are now in place, with a further 17 available to travel from neighboring states. These units, manned by trained staff and volunteers, will serve food and drinks, distribute essential supplies and provide emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders.

Taken from IHQ Communications; to read the full story, visit salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr020921.

The Salvation Army Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti

The Salvation Army in Haiti is responding after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake brought devastation across the south of the country. 

Salvation Army personnel in Haiti continue to work with community leaders in nine of the worst-hit areas to ensure that the most vulnerable people are supported in the aftermath of this traumatic disaster, as well as addressing practical needs—such as food, clean drinking water, shelter, nappies/diapers and bedding.  Trained and experienced team members offer emotional and spiritual care.

Taken from IHQ Communications.To read more, visit sar.my/news.