Giving Tuesday and more with the Red Kettle, the PenaVega's

Rick talks with:

Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder - national commander of The Salvation Army

Alexa & Carlos PenaVega – celebrity couple who volunteer for The Salvation Army

Have a listen:

This holiday season, families across the country are facing increased challenges, but The Salvation Army continues to love and serve more than 27 million people living in the United States across its 6,400 centers of operation throughout the entire year. The Salvation Army relies on funds from public support to provide food, housing, and other services, and during a typical year, nearly half of the funds raised come directly from public and individual contributions. Through the annual Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army can continue to meet the immediate and long-term needs of millions of individuals and families this holiday season and year-round.

There is tremendous need this holiday season and all year long. Every act of kindness - no matter how small goes a long way and will make an impact in the lives of those who need it most in our communities. In this interview, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega will talk about their work with The Salvation Army and their recent volunteer trip to assist those displaced by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, the national commander of The Salvation Army, Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, will be joining the PenaVegas to talk about what The Salvation Army is doing for Giving Tuesday and the Red Kettle Campaign.

Points of emphasis

Nationally, 82 cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward funding Salvation Army initiatives, and the money stays within the community in which it was given.

Red Kettles raised an average of $2.7 Million each day last holiday season, meaning 5 fewer days could mean a $13.5 million loss is giving.

The Salvation Army provided rent and utility assistance to 3.1 million families last year, helping them stay safe and warm throughout the year.

You can donate with cash, coins, and checks or digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any Red Kettle across the country.

For more information, please visit: www.salvationarmyusa.org

SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Commissioner Hodder: Can you tell us about the Red Kettle Campaign and why it's important, especially this year?

Commissioner Hodder: How does The Salvation Army meet the needs of local communities beyond the holidays?

Commissioner Hodder: Are there ways people can donate besides a physical Red Kettle location?

Carlos & Alexa PenaVega: How have you been working with The Salvation Army?

Carlos & Alexa PenaVega: How else are you partnering with the Salvation Army?

Where can listeners get additional information on supporting their local Salvation Army?

Alexa PenaVega gained widespread recognition for her breakout role as “Carmen Cortez” in the Spy Kids franchise. While PenaVega has an impressive movie filmography, she has also had massive success in other areas of the entertainment industry. She played Penny in Hairspray on Broadway, had TV roles in shows such as “Ruby & the Rockits,” “Nashville,” “The Tomorrow People” and “Big Time Rush,” appeared in the video for Aerosmith’s “Legendary Child” and was a contestant on Season 21 of “Dancing with the Stars,” where she danced alongside her husband, Carlos PenaVega. Outside of performing, the couple most recently partnered together to create their production company Good For You Entertainment with the mission to create quality ‘good for you’ content the whole family can enjoy. The company’s first film Get Him Back for Christmas will air later this year on Great American Family. Additionally, the couple share a YouTube channel, La Vida PenaVega, and are the parents of two sons, Ocean and Kingston, a daughter, Rio, and one baby girl in heaven, Indy. They regularly share their day to day lives and their family’s travel adventures with their community.

Carlos PenaVega shot to fame and cult status after starring on the highly successful Nickelodeon musical comedy “Big Time Rush” as Carlos Garcia. The band of the same name continues to sell out arenas around the globe and have released four best-selling studio albums. PenaVega portrayed Oscar Vasquez in Lionsgate Films/Pantelion Films feature Spare Parts, alongside George Lopez and Marisa Tomei.Beyond acting, Carlos captured audiences on ABC's Dancing With the Stars and starred in Fox's Grease: LIVE. He showcased his musical talents with his solo singles "Electrico" and "Bésame," both making waves on the Latin iTunes charts. Additionally, Carlos makes up one half of the band Angels + Kings; their highly anticipated first single “Lightning” debuts this fall. Off-screen, Carlos is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Alexa PenaVega, are the parents of two sons, Ocean and Kingston, a daughter, Rio, and one baby girl in heaven, Indy. They regularly share their day to day lives and their family’s travel adventures with their community.

The Commissioner

Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder is the national commander of The Salvation Army, the largest direct service social services organization in the United States, with 6,400 centers of operation that served more than 27 million people last year. Before becoming the national commander in July 2020, Hodder served as the territorial commander of the Western Territory in the United States, where he worked diligently to address the growing homelessness crisis. Hodder graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and practiced corporate real estate law in Los Angeles before responding to God’s call to serve with The Salvation Army in 1986.