From its humble beginnings in San Francisco in 1891, donation collection for  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.

 

On November 27, the Salvation Army officially launched its Red Kettle Campaign across the country. Approximately 25,000 bell-ringers took to storefronts nationwide to collect coins, dollars and the occasional gold tooth from donors. All donations will stay in their local community to help The Salvation Army meet the physical, material, emotional and spiritual needs of the area’s most vulnerable.

 

The focus of this year’s national Red Kettle Campaign is to encourage Americans to share their reasons for giving by using #RedKettleReason in social media posts. Those who share their #RedKettleReason online through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube can see their posts on RedKettleReason.org. The site serves as a hub for #RedKettleReason conversations around the country and features an interactive mosaic of pictures, videos and information.

 

Here are a few more ways you can get involved with the Red Kettle Campaign:

 

  • Online Red Kettle: Throughout the season, Americans can become virtual bell ringers by starting their own Online Red Kettle at onlineredkettle.org

 

  • Text-to-Give: For the mobile donor, it’s easy to give $10 by texting the word “KETTLE” to 80888 and replying “YES.”*

 

 

For more information about becoming involved with the local Salvation Army in East Chicago, visit http://salarmychicago.org/eastchicago/volunteer.

 

To receive regular updates about other programs supported by the Foundations of East Chicago, find us on Facebook (facebook.com/foundationsec) or follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/foundationsec).