Kicking off the Christmas Season in Central Indiana
The Salvation Army of Central Indiana is hosting its annual Red Kettle Christmas Kick-Off on Friday, November 10 at the Indiana Historical Society in downtown Indianapolis. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater and will be emceed by CBS 4 This Morning anchor Melissa Crash. The Indiana Historical Society will be closed to the public during the event, which is invitation-only.
The annual Red Kettle Campaign has a goal of raising $3.6 million through the iconic red kettles located across Central Indiana. The 2023 campaign marks the second year of partnership with the contactless payment provider TipTap, which will allow shoppers to give $5, $10, or $20 donations at the red kettle with the tap of their phone or credit card. The technology, still relatively new to The Salvation Army, will be highlighted during the program on Friday night. Central Indiana was one of the pilot markets in the U.S. for this new giving option in 2022 and saw the greatest success of all pilot markets in the nation.
Also back this year is an online peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that invites the public to take an active role in supporting the organization. The Virtual Red Kettle Campaign has a goal of raising $25,000 online through the platform, which allows supporters to create their own virtual Red Kettle with a personal fundraising goal. The public can follow and participate in the campaign at salarmy.us/virtualkettle.
"This year we are showing how your donations can help The Salvation Army ‘Love Beyond Christmas’ and help Hoosiers in need year-round," said Major Rachel Stouder, Central Indiana Area Commander for The Salvation Army. "The donations that come in during November and December make it possible to operate programs that feed, shelter, nourish, and provide for our Central Indiana community. As our neighbors struggle with the continued rising costs and greater uncertainties facing them and their families, more are seeking help from The Salvation Army and our wrap-around services – more than we've seen in a long time. Every household has been affected by the upheaval of the past several years, but with the help of donors and volunteers The Salvation Army can continue to be here when Hoosiers need us the most."
The Salvation Army has been responding to increased need in the community as food, gas, rent, and utility prices have steadily increased over the past year. Thousands of Hoosiers have already turned to The Salvation Army for emergency financial assistance to stay in their homes and keep up on utility bills. This Christmas, struggling families have enrolled 5,000 local children in the Angel Tree Toy Shop program to ensure that they can still experience the joy of gifts under the tree.
Though preparations have been underway for months for many of the public-facing events and services The Salvation Army of Central Indiana will carry out this season, the Red Kettle Christmas Kick-Off is always an exciting and fun start to the season. Special guest speakers will share details about seasonal programs like Angel Tree Toy Shop and upcoming fundraising efforts like the WIBC Radiothon December 8-9. The Salvation Army will also be recognizing several companies, foundations, and individuals that have already made significant gifts this holiday season. After the program, guests will have full access to the Indiana Historical Society to enjoy the Festival of Trees.
Every donation given to The Salvation Army through the annual Red Kettle Campaign provides help and hope to those in need, and all gifts stay right here in Central Indiana. Visit SACentralIndiana.org to learn more about how you can help The Salvation Army ensure that we can show Love Beyond Christmas this year.