Salvation Army Kicking Off National Capital Area Red Kettle Drive Friday Morning

Washington, DC – The Salvation Army 2013 Red Kettle Drive will hold a kick-off ceremony tomorrow morning (Nov. 8) at 10:30 a.m. in front of Pepco headquarters at 701 Ninth Street, NW in D.C.  Open to the public, the event is expected to draw officers, managers, staff and friends from both The Salvation Army and Pepco.  This year's theme will spotlight how donations given to The Salvation Army are Giving Hope to local families and Restoring Lives for women and men that previously saw no light at the end of the tunnel.

The 2013 Christmas Campaign Mail Appeal and Red Kettle Drive goals will be announced during the brief mid-morning ceremony.

"The Salvation Army is praying that this year's campaign is a huge success," said Major Lewis Reckline, National Capital Area Commander. "The money raised here in the Greater Washington area stays here.  It's giving hope to people in need.  "

Major Reckline also noted The Salvation Army uses more than 80 cents of every dollar directly to meet the needs of the people we serve.

"The donations we receive allow The Salvation Army to feed the hungry, prevent homelessness, and enrich the lives of children and much more," said Major Reckline.

Throughout the National Capital Area, The Salvation Army assists individuals and families still struggling to make ends meet.  Many who walk through our doors are in need a help to avoid eviction or utility termination, while others are in need of groceries or clothing.

Beginning on November 9 (Saturday), 250 kettles will spread out across Greater Washington including the District and the City of Alexandria, as well as Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. They will be located at the entrance to local Giant and Safeway grocery stores as well as several major retailers.  At all kettles, The Salvation Army accepts cash, checks, gold coins, engagement rings…you name it.

For supporters wishing to ring the bell at home or work, The Salvation Army offers a virtual kettle through an online portal.  By visiting the website OnlineRedKettle.org/NCA, anyone may start and manage their own virtual Red Kettle to support The Salvation Army. This Online Red Kettle allows supporters to still give if they cannot locate a kettle in the community and get more involved.

Throughout the campaign, progress updates will be posted on our social networking pages, both Facebook and Twitter, which can be found by searching keyword SalArmyNCA.

The Salvation Army USA will be featured during the halftime show of the Dallas Cowboys football game on Thanksgiving Day.  This year, music superstar Selena Gomez will officially kick-off the national Red Kettle Drive with a live performance.

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command assisted more than 81,900 individuals last year from families living across D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia by providing help and hope through a diverse range of social services. We offer emergency eviction and utility cut-off prevention assistance, grocery, clothing and furniture vouchers, meals for the hungry and homeless, support for the disabled, elderly and ill, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, disaster relief, transitional housing for single mothers with children and character building opportunities for youth.