Wireless Wednesday: Red Kettle season is underway

Commissioner Merle Heatwole Discusses The Salvation Army’s Commitment To Providing Service, Love, and Joy to Those in Need This Christmas and Beyond

Rick is joined by: Commissioner Merle Heatwole, National Commander, The Salvation Army

This holiday season, rising economic pressures are weighing heavily on families across the nation, with forty-five percent of Americans expecting national economic conditions to worsen in the coming year. In these uncertain times, The Salvation Army remains a source of hope and joy, serving nearly 28 million people each year through more than 7,400 centers nationwide.

Through the annual Red Kettle Campaign, which kicks off on Thanksgiving Day, and with the help of generous contributions, 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.

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More than two-thirds of Americans are worried about having enough money to pay for gifts this Christmas.

The Salvation Army provided holiday assistance to over 2.3 million people last year.

Volunteers at 24,000 kettles across the country will be ringing bells this Christmas in support of spreading joy.

The average volunteer bell ringer raises enough money to provide up to 250 meals to those in need.

Over 1.5 million volunteers helped The Salvation Army meet people’s needs last year.

The Salvation Army serves in nearly every ZIP code across the country, and the funds raised stay in the community where they were donated.

Donations can be made not only through the physical Red Kettles but also digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any Red Kettle across the country or by visiting give.SalvationArmyUSA.org.

For more information on The Salvation Army, please visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

More topics:

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

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

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

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

COMMISSIONER MERLE HEATWOLE is the national leader of The Salvation Army in the United States of America serving as the National Commander. He assumed this appointment on March 1, 2025. Heatwole most recently served as the Territorial Commander for the Latin America North Territory, overseeing Salvation Army operations in ten countries including Guatemala through Panama in Central America, Colombia and Venezuela in South America, and Cuba and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Prior to this, he served as International Secretary for Business Administration at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London, England, where he was responsible for global financial strategy and information technology. His extensive career also includes leadership roles as Chief Secretary of the USA Central Territory and National Chief Secretary at The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters.