Tyler Salvation Army to host Christmas Kickoff

Published 5:35 am Friday, November 8, 2024

The Christmas season is almost here, and The Salvation Army is ready to start celebrating with a Christmas Kickoff on Friday. Celebrations begin at 11 a.m. in the breezeway between JCPenney and Chick-fil-A at The Broadway Square Mall at 4601 S. Broadway Avenue in Tyler.

The Christmas Kickoff launches The Salvation Army’s Kettle and Angel Tree season. This holiday season, 43 locations will be hosting the iconic red kettle as volunteers ring a bell to raise money for The Salvation Army with the goal set at $389,000. This year, each kettle stand will have a QR Code and a NFC tag which will allow donors to use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo and PayPal rather than dropping cash or coins in the kettle.

With over 12,000 hours to be filled, volunteers are greatly needed from Nov. 11 thru Dec. 24. Anyone interested in volunteering to ring the bell this season may sign up at www.RegisterToRing.com. You can also create a Virtual Kettle through this link.

“This event is a great opportunity for us to generate some excitement as we get our Red Kettle Campaign started,” said Capt. Jeremy S. Walker, Tyler Commanding Officer. “The money raised during this campaign is so important to The Salvation Army and those monies stay here in Smith County and help us to run essential programs year-round. The need in our community is great, but I’m positive that the residents of Smith County will come together and make it happen.”

The event will also launch this year’s Angel Tree season. Last month, The Salvation Army registered over 2,000 children and seniors for gifts for this holiday season.

“The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is so important to our community,” said Captain Michelle Walker. “We are so grateful for the community’s support to make Christmas joy a reality for these angels.”

Join The Salvation Army as it kicks off the most wonderful time of the year with a special performance from the Tyler Junior College Trombone Choir and The Salvation Army’s mascot, Captain Kettle.