During the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Oakland Raiders, Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry will kick-off The Salvation Army's 2009 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign with a live, nationally-televised halftime performance. The Thanksgiving Day game begins at 4:15 EST and will be broadcast on the CBS television network. In addition to iconic red kettles on street corners and at storefronts nationwide, the 118-year old campaign will break ground online by utilizing various social media platforms. Initiatives include updated features to The Salvation Army's Online Red Kettle application, a first-ever Angel Giving Tree online program and other programs to be announced soon.
"Thanksgiving is a time for great traditions, like watching the Cowboys' game, giving thanks for the blessings in your life and remembering those less fortunate," said singer Chris Daughtry. "This year, the band will perform at the game during halftime and encourage people to generously support The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, a fantastic charity that has a real impact on peoples' lives."
On the heels of the release of their new album, 'Leave This Town,' Daughtry will perform a medley of hits during the Cowboys halftime show. Daughtry's performance will include songs from both 'Leave This Town' and the group's 5X platinum debut album, 'Daughtry.' This performance marks the first Thanksgiving Day halftime show at the new state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 'Leave This Town' debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Daughtry is currently headlining their first arena tour. After the game, catch Daughtry in a repeat HD performance on www.BillboardLive.com (10pm EST).
For the past 12 years the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game halftime show has officially launched the Red Kettle Campaign on a national stage, becoming annual holiday tradition. Since the partnership began in 1997, the annual Red Kettle Campaign has raised more than $1.2 billion. Previous halftime performers include Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.
"This is a critical time of year for millions of Americans in need, and we are excited that Daughtry will be able to bring attention to The Salvation Army's important work during the Red Kettle Campaign," said Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. "Through the dedication of all the members of Daughtry, the message of giving back this holiday season will reach millions of donors and volunteers."
In addition to the band’s performance, Daughtry will be hosting an Online Red Kettle that will allow fans to donate to The Salvation Army through its proprietary social media platform at www.onlineredkettle.com. Fans can also donate or join Daughtry's team kettle by visiting www.daughtryofficial.com. Last year, Online Red Kettles raised more than $1 million dollars as thousands of supporters hosted kettles and asked friends and families to give via electronic payments. This year, The Salvation Army has expanded the capability of the Online Red Kettle with a new application that allows users to easily integrate their kettles into their personal Facebook pages. The Salvation Army hopes to double the amount raised in 2008, to more than $2 million.
"This year we're asking our fans to show they care about The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign by going online to support our virtual red kettle. Every donation helps," said singer Chris Daughtry. Daughtry encourages fans to host their own kettles, which will help even more people in America this year.
The Red Kettle Campaign will also be supported by a number of initiatives with The Salvation Army's network of corporate and retail partners. Walmart will once again be allowing Salvation Army red kettles to ring bells and raise funds at Walmart and Sam's Club stores nationwide between November 27th and December 24th. They will also be making a $1.25 million donation to the campaign. The Salvation Army will also contribute to a new blog at www.WalmnartGiving.com.
JCPenney will lead The Salvation Army into a new era with a new Angel Giving Tree online program at www.jcp.com/angel, which allows donors to adopt a child or senior in need and send them a Christmas gift. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree programs have been running for more than 40 years and nearly 500,000 angels are adopted each year nationwide. JCPenney's new online feature is expected to significantly boost the number of Angels who receive support through its convenience of shopping and shipping from home.
The Salvation Army will also soon be announcing details of an exciting in-store promotional event with its longtime supporter Target.
"Our partnerships, including those with the Dallas Cowboys, Walmart, JCPenney, Target and The Weather Channel are critical to the success of the Red Kettle Campaign," said Salvation Army National Commander Israel L. Gaither. "These programs and outreach initiatives help us provide service to 30 million people in nearly every community in America."
The Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States, helps raise money for those who need it most in communities nationwide – providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round. From its humble beginnings as a fundraiser 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. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2008, the campaign raised more than $130 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where the money was raised.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from 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 spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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