The Salvation Army Invites Americans to Share Their #RedKettleReason

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army is extending the reach of its national Red Kettle campaign to social media and encouraging Americans to share their reasons for giving using the hashtag #RedKettleReason.

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This year's Rock the Red Kettle artists, celebrities, professional athletes, corporate partners, and beneficiaries are also rallying to share their #RedKettleReasons and encourage fans, friends and family to do the same.

"People recognize the Red Kettles and know The Salvation Army, but they don't always know the depth and breadth of the services we provide. We want to change that by enlisting those who give to share their motivation for contributing," said Lt. Colonel Ron Busroe, community relations and development secretary. "The Salvation Army helps nearly 30 million Americans every year. That alone is 30 million reasons to give. Our goal this holiday season is to start a dialogue about all the good that The Salvation Army does, from giving hungry children a warm meal and roof over their heads to a safe place to go after school and so much more."

Those who post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using #RedKettleReason will see their posts on RedKettleReason.org and learn why the rest of America is giving through an interactive mosaic of pictures, video and information – and a map of the social conversation happening around the country. The site includes an easy way to donate directly to The Salvation Army.

Often, children have their first exposure to giving by dropping donations into the kettles. #RedKettleReason encourages parents to make the first moment of contribution even more meaningful by talking to their kids about the importance of giving back and by sharing their reason with family and friends online.

In support of #RedKettleReason, Papa John's is offering a Red Kettle Cookie, a unique holiday twist to their popular treat, the Chocolate Chip Cookie.  A portion of the proceeds from the cookie will be used to support The Salvation Army's funding. In addition, Papa John's will offer 25 percent off pizzas ordered for everyone who donates to The Salvation Army through RedKettleReason.org and shares a reason of their own with their following. John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's, will be sharing his own #RedKettleReason for supporting The Salvation Army on Thanksgiving and challenging his followers to do the same.

The Army is also partnering with Teen Vogue to give fans the chance to enter to win a retweet from their favorite Rock the Red Kettle performers, a trip to L.A. to attend the concert or even the chance to meet some of the artists before the show. For more information, visit teenvogue.com/redkettlereason.

To donate to the Red Kettle campaign, Americans can drop dollars and coins in the Red Kettles found in front of retail stores and on street corners, give $10 by texting KETTLE to 80888, or visit redkettlereason.org.

During the holiday season, nearly 4.2 million people rely on The Salvation Army to provide their families with a warm meal on Christmas Day or toys for their children. Donations to the Red Kettles allow the Army to serve nearly 30 million people a year by providing over 10 million nights of shelter and roughly 58 million meals a year, along with substance abuse recovery programs, after-school programs, and emergency shelter for children and families in need.

More About the Red Kettle Campaign
The Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign kicks off on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, during the televised Kettle Drop featuring the Jones family, during the nationally televised Dallas Cowboys matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is the third annual Giving Tuesday, a day that encourages charitable giving during the holiday season. The Salvation Army will participate in a variety of activities to encourage supporters to find a Red Kettle, donate and share their #RedKettleReason.

On December 6, The Salvation Army will host its fifth annual Rock the Red Kettle concert at LA LIVE in Los Angeles. A free concert featuring talented young artists, the Rock the Red Kettle concert engages younger donors and educates them about The Salvation Army.

From its humble beginnings as a program 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. It provides toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Red Kettles manned with Salvation Army volunteers throughout the country ring bells and solicit donations during the holidays.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to salvationarmyusa.org.

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SOURCE The Salvation Army