The Detroit skyline is about to see red, just in time.
As a part of The Salvation Army’s inaugural “Paint the City Red” celebration, several Detroit businesses will “go red” on Dec. 22 in support of the nonprofit’s annual Red Kettle Campaign.
Paint the City Red Day, which launches approximately 48 hours before the last red kettles come in from storefronts the afternoon of Dec. 24, also acknowledges The Salvation Army’s 125 years of service in metro Detroit.
“Metro Detroit residents are encouraged to wear red on Dec. 22, as The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit gears up to celebrate its first ‘Paint the City Red’ spirit day in this, our 125th anniversary year,” said Major Mark Anderson, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit. “The spirit day comes as we work to rally supporters in these last two full days of our famous red kettles at more than 400 storefronts in metro Detroit.”
Among the “Paint the City Red” highlights:
The Detroit skyline’s most identifiable fixture, the General Motors Renaissance Center, will beam The Salvation Army’s iconic red shield from its main electronic sign on the center’s tallest tower starting at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 22. The bands around each tower will also beam red in support of The Salvation Army’s largest annual fundraiser.
Additionally, MotorCity Casino Hotel will change its exterior to all red, and downtown Detroit’s Compuware building will glow red around the top of its façade and inside its soaring atrium.
In honor of Paint the City Red, beginning at 11 a.m. Dec. 22, The Salvation Army will give away complimentary red velvet cupcakes, on a first-come, first-served basis, in the Compuware building atrium.
The Compuware building is home to two of Detroit’s most dedicated corporate citizens – Compuware Corporation and Red Kettle partner Quicken Loans, whose CEO Bill Emerson is this year’s honorary Red Kettle Campaign Corporate Chairman.
To continue the spirit of “Paint the City Red Day,” Ferndale-based Garden Fresh Gourmet Foods has joined forces with Quicken Loans to sell its “red” salsas to the company’s team members located downtown. A portion of the salsa sales will benefit The Salvation Army.
Also painting the city red for The Salvation Army on Dec. 22 are two of metro Detroit’s most recognizable do-gooders: Radio legend Dick Purtan and Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS will ring from noon to 1 p.m. outside the West door of Macy’s at Twelve Oaks Mall, to raise awareness (and funds) for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
The public is welcome to come out (wearing red of course), meet both local celebrities and donate to their red kettle to help The Salvation Army reach its $8.2 million campaign goal to serve those in need in metro Detroit.
Help fill Dick Purtan and PAWS’ Red Kettle at:
Macy’s at Twelve Oaks Mall (West Door Entrance)
27550 Novi Road, Novi
Noon to 1 p.m.
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 3,194,802 million meals and 687,203 nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.85 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.
