Red Kettle Kick Off

Thursday, November 4, at Noon, Niagara Square is the backdrop for the official opening of The Salvation Army world-renowned Red Kettle  fundraising drive.  The public is welcome to witness the re-enactment of 1884, when the first members of The Salvation Army marched into Buffalo’s city square and began working to help anyone in need.  The Red Shield has come to symbolize hope for improving lives by meeting the basic human needs of our community’s less fortunate.

The Salvation Army Major Robert Dixon, Area Coordinator and Linda Wadsworth, the Advisory Board Chair-woman, will be joined by Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County Executive, Chris Collins at noon, complete with a brass ensemble playing familiar Christmas Carols to officially begin the Red Kettle Campaign.  The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Canteen Truck will be serving hot chocolate to warm the bodies and hopefully the hearts of Buffalonians.

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.