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Released 19 November 2009
Nonprofit will kick off its Red Kettle Campaign with the
World’s Largest Bell Ring
WHAT:
The Salvation Army of Metro
Detroit will officially kick-off the 2009 Red Kettle Campaign with a festive
ceremony at Campus Martius Park in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 20. The ceremony
marks the fourth year that TSA has combined the start of its hundred-year-old
red kettle tradition with the annual lighting of the city of Detroit’s
holiday tree.
New for 2009, The Salvation Army will ask attendees
at the ceremony to participate in the World’s Largest Bell Ring prior to
the lighting of the World’s Tallest Red Kettle. Bells will be handed out
to attendees to ring as the kettle is being lit. This is the first attempt to
achieve this record.
The Salvation Army’s red kettles are
stationed at more than 300 locations throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb
counties. Red Kettle locations include retailers and businesses such as
Kroger, WalMart, Macy’s, Sam’s Club, JCPenney and Walgreens among
others. Red Kettle donations will be collected through Thursday, Dec. 24.
Contributions also can be made by calling 877-SAL-MICH or given online until Jan. 31, 2009.
For the third
year, The Salvation Army will also be hosting family fun activities for
children in the Winter Magic Pavilion located in Cadillac Square. The
activities will begin at 5 p.m. and continue throughout the evening until 9
p.m.
The launch event will include bell ringers, The Salvation
Army Brass Band, comments by Salvation Army officers as well as the
World’s Largest Bell Ring prior to the lighting of the World’s
Tallest Red Kettle (which is located at the south end of Campus Martius Park, next to the Soldiers & Sailors
monument, for the duration of the Red Kettle Campaign).
The
World’s Tallest Red Kettle is approximately 56’ tall, 24’
wide and lit by 25,000 lights.
WHO:
Mayor
Bing
Anqunette Jamison, Emcee, Fox 2 WJBK Morning News
Ken Holland,
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings and
Honorary Red Kettle Chairman
Lt. Col. Norman Marshall & Major John
Turner The Salvation Army
WHEN:
Friday,
Nov. 20, 2009
5-9 p.m. Family Fun Activities in Winter Magic
Pavillion
6:00 p.m. Red Kettle Kick Off from Main Stage
WHERE:
Campus Martius Park
Downtown Detroit
HISTORY:
Founded by William Booth in London, England in
1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to
serving people in need without discrimination. In 2008, The Salvation Army of
Metro Detroit was involved in providing more than 3 million meals and 776,973
nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.83 of every
dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day
of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call
877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at www.salmich.org.