Artists Call on Fans to Support The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign Through New Tech Options

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 8, 2010  -- The traditional sound of bells ringing at Salvation Army Red Kettles will be joined by a decidedly unique groove this year.  The Salvation Army, Sky Blue Group and Caruso Affiliated are proud to present the first annual Rock the Red Kettle Concert, featuring a mix of today's top and up-and-coming performers, including Mitchel Musso, Emily Osment, Ashlyne Huff, New Hollow, One Call, Savvy, Stevie Brock and a few special surprise guests. This free concert, which is open to the general public, will begin at 7 PM PST at The Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, CA on Wednesday, December 15.

In keeping with The Salvation Army's continued efforts to reach young and aspiring American philanthropists, the concert will also be streamed live at www.ustream.tv/rocktheredkettle, where supporters can click to donate while watching the show. Donors can also make a $10 donation to the campaign by texting the word "GIVE" to 85944.

"What a great show this will be!" said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "We are honored by the creativity and enthusiasm of these bands. By performing at our inaugural Rock the Red Kettle Concert, they will be helping to educate America's youth about the importance of giving all year round, starting with The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign this Christmas season."

The Rock the Red Kettle Concert will raise awareness for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States. Money raised during the campaign helps the Army serve nearly 30 million Americans in need each year in communities nationwide through a wide array of programs including toys for kids, coats for the homeless and food for the hungry.

"This show is about finding the next generation of Salvation Army supporters and spreading the message of doing good with the help of music artists who believe in the cause," said Ned Specktor of Sky Blue Group, who will be co-producing the concert withDavid Swift of Caruso Affiliated.

A talented list of up-and-coming artists are scheduled to perform, including Disney Channel actors and recording artists Mitchel Musso and Emily Osment; Savvy, stars of the TV series The Wannabes and Ohio-based teen rock band, New Hollow.  Other performers include pop singer Stevie Brock, singer-songwriter Ashlyne Huff and pop-rock band One Call.

In addition to the iconic red kettle, The Salvation Army is embracing new technologies to help support the Red Kettle Campaign. For the sixth year in a row, The Salvation Army will allow fans to become online bell-ringers by signing up to host an Online Red Kettle at www.onlineredkettle.org. The program allows individuals and organizations to host their own "virtual" red kettle on their personal, group or company website. Last year, Online Red Kettles raised nearly $2 million as thousands of people asked friends and families to give online. This year, the Army hopes to raise $3 million with improved Facebook functionality and an all-new Online Red Kettle iPhone application.

"The Salvation Army has a long standing tradition of helping people at the point of need, but as more people struggle every day, we've had to expand our outreach in new ways to raise awareness and money," said Major George Hood. "The Online Red Kettle allows us to spread the word online, and a new text-to-give campaign enables anyone with a mobile device to give at the click of a button."

The Salvation Army also launched its first national text-to-give program on November 21. Through December 24, donors can text the word "GIVE" to 85944 to make a $10 donation to the Red Kettle Campaign.

From its humble beginnings as a program started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells and solicit donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2009, the campaign raised more than $139 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public's nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where the money was raised.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

SOURCE The Salvation Army