The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit will host a merry ceremony at Campus Martius Park in Detroit to formally begin the 2016 Red Kettle Campaign immediately prior to the city’s lighting of the grand holiday tree.
The nonprofit will officially light the world’s tallest red kettle – approximately 56 feet tall and 24 feet wide, and lit by 26,000 red LED lights — to remain aglow for the remainder of the holiday season. A large digital LED board will accompany the giant red kettle, displaying messages and images as well as The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s progress toward its $8.4 million goal throughout the Red Kettle Campaign.
Following the tree lighting, The Salvation Army will join the Detroit 300 Conservancy celebration in Cadillac Square with family entertainment throughout the evening including a youth tent with crafts, balloons and goodies and hot chocolate.
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
5:30 pm-The Salvation Army Brass Band will perform on stage
6-6:20 pm – The Red Kettle Launch
City of Detroit Tree Lighting festivities immediately following
WHERE: Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square, Detroit
WHO: There will be a bell ringing in unison to light the giant red kettle, and The Salvation Army’s popular Brass Band will perform Christmas music.
Ceremony participants:
- Major Russ Sjögren, General Secretary and Metro Detroit Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit
- Lt. Col. John Turner, Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division, Divisional Commander
- Bill Emerson, Quicken Loans’ CEO and Honorary Red Kettle Campaign Corporate Chair
- John J. Latella, Chair of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Detroit Advisory Board and partner/owner, Miller’s Big Red Fruit Orchard & Cider Mill
- Harvey Hollins III, Director of Urban Initiatives at Office of the Governor of Michigan
PHOTO OP: Launch event will include red kettle bell ringers throughout Campus Martius Park marking the countdown to the lighting of the world’s tallest red kettle sponsored by Quicken Loans. The event will also feature performances by The Salvation Army Brass Band and families joining in on the activities.
HISTORY: About The Salvation Army
Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. This past year, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing 2,724,152 meals and 652,786 nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.87 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at www.salmich.org.
