IRVING, Texas, (The Salvation Army) - More than 66 million football fans and television viewers will participate in a 115 year old tradition today when nine-time Grammy winner
Sheryl Crow takes to the stage today officially kicking-off The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas fundraising campaign, one of the world's oldest philanthropic campaigns.
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Sheryl Crow will perform live from Texas Stadium during half-time of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game to raise awareness and inspire Americans to help others have a joyful Christmas season. Produced by the Dallas Cowboys, this spectacular half-time performance will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
"Today's kick-off packs a powerful punch - both on and off the field," said Jerry Jones, Cowboys Owner and General Manager. "You always put points on the board when you help those who don't have the means to help themselves."
Sheryl Crow will perform "Good Is Good" from her seventh and most recent album, Wildflower, as well as her Grammy Award winning song "If It Makes You Happy." Ms. Crow joins a list of prominent artists who have volunteered their time and performed at the half-time event since 1997, including Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gilman, Clint Black and Reba McEntire. With the help of artists, including Ms. Crow, the Dallas Cowboys' eight years of support for the Army's Red Kettle charity drive has helped raise over $800 million for those in need.
"Recent events revealed a growing need to help others who are less fortunate," said Ms. Crow. "I hope others will join me in doing what they can to help their neighbors by contributing to the Red Kettles."
The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over six million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide. A record-breaking $102 million was raised last year through the campaign, benefiting people in 5,000 communities.
"To many, the familiar sound of our bells ringing means hope. To others, it is an annual reminder to help the tens of millions in need during the Christmas holiday season and all year-round," said Commissioner W. Todd Bassett, National Commander of The Salvation Army. "Each year, Americans like the Cowboys and Ms. Crow give generously what they can, trusting The Salvation Army to do all they can to help others."
The Red Kettle campaign, first started in San Francisco in 1891, has traditionally been The Salvation Army's most prominent fund-raiser. Each year, Salvation Army Red Kettles serve as collection stations around the nation beginning the day after Thanksgiving, and continue through Christmas Eve. Kettles annually raise nearly $100 million in communities nationwide, with the nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars all remaining in the towns where the money was deposited into the kettles. Money collected is used to support many of the 37 million people in poverty who turn to the Army for food and toys at Christmas, utility and homeless assistance, senior and child care, drug abuse treatment and many other social service needs.
The Salvation Army launched last week the first National Online Red Kettle Campaign, making it easier for the growing numbers of people shopping and paying bills online to help the growing numbers of Americans in need of hope this holiday season. For the first time, individuals, businesses and organizations nationwide can help raise funds for those in need this Christmas season by hosting their own "virtual" red kettles on their personal, group or company website. Online Red Kettles can be downloaded from https://www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
