Salvation Army Christmas Campaign Begins Friday

The Salvation Army of Kent County will be celebrating the beginning of the 2013 Christmas Campaign with two events on Friday, November 15, in an effort to increase public awareness and support for a $1.75 million Christmas Campaign goal – a $50,000 increase over last year’s $1.7 million goal. The donations collected during the campaign will be used to meet the overall needs of the organization’s clients which are projected to increase during this Christmas season.
The 2013 Red Kettle Campaign officially kicks-off on Friday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. with the annual first ring of the bell and a live public performance of the “Give Till It Helps” song by legendary songwriter Ralston Bowles www.ralstonbowles.comand local folk music band Bennett www.bennettband.com.The morning event will be held at Spartan Stores Family Fare Supermarket, 2755 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids 49504.
The first-ever Red Kettle Campaign Concert will be held that evening at 7:00 p.m. at Baker Book House, 2768 East Paris Avenue SE, Grand Rapids 49546. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and will feature performances by Bowles and Bennett. The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble will round out the evening by leading the season’s first Christmas Caroling event.
The concert is free of charge but a ticket is required for admission. Tickets can be downloaded at www.tillithelps.eventbrite.com.Beginning Friday, the original “Give Till It Helps” song will be available for download with a monetary donation at www.tillithelps.org. Bowles and Bennett have generously donated all songwriting and performance royalties to allow 100% of proceeds to benefit The Salvation Army’s 2013 Red Kettle Campaign.