Join Vikings legend Cris Carter at Kettle Kickoff and Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 10 in St. Paul
Join Minnesota Vikings legend Cris Carter at The Salvation Army’s Kettle Kickoff and Tree Lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul.
The 2nd annual event will feature St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and musical performances by The Voice semi-finalist Kat Perkins and Jovonta Patton, a six-time #1 chart-topping Billboard recording artist. Guests will also enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Cris Carter will punctuate this fun-filled family event by lighting the 40-foot-tall tree and its 25,000 lights. The Hall of Fame wide receiver has supported The Salvation Army in many different ways throughout 2023.
“Last year’s tree lighting was a huge event, and we expect this year to be even bigger,” he said. “Join me as I light the tree and help The Salvation Army kick off the new Red Kettle season.”
After the event, hundreds of Red Kettles will flood Twin Cities street corners and store entrances until Saturday, Dec. 23. The Salvation Army hopes to raise $2 million worth of kettle donations locally – a significant chunk of our overall Christmas fundraising in the Twin Cities. Sign up to ring.
"Bell ringers are vitally important to our campaign – they raise between $60 and $90 per hour for Salvation Army programs that provide food, shelter and care for local families in need,” said Lt. Colonel Randall Polsley, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division.
Sign up to ring bells
Registration is open for the 2023 bell ringing season.
Bell ringing is a fun and easy way to make a big difference, with hundreds of kettle locations throughout the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota and North Dakota. Raise even more money by recruiting your friends, family and coworkers to join.
Thousands of volunteer bell ringers are needed. Sign up now and help The Salvation Army provide life-changing support for people and families in need.
This holiday season, The Salvation Army is calling on all of our supporters to Love Beyond. #LoveBeyond is a national Salvation Army campaign that encourages people to put love above all else, in order to show families in need that love exists beyond their most difficult situations – be it hunger, overdue bills, eviction, addiction, and other hardships. Join us by giving a donation, signing up to volunteer, or ringing bells at a Red Kettle.