Red Kettle kickoff: Fundraiser begins for South Plains, Panhandle Salvation Army

Michael Cuviello, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
·4 min read

The Salvation Army chapters in the South Plains and Panhandle kicked off their Red Kettle Campaigns last week and Saturday, continuing their decades-long local partnership with United Supermarkets throughout the communities.

Started in 1891, the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is one of the most iconic charitable events in the United States and is synonymous with the Christmas season.

South Plains Salvation Army's Major David Worthy watches Lubbock Mayor Tray Payne contribute to a Red Kettle last week at a Lubbock United store.
South Plains Salvation Army's Major David Worthy watches Lubbock Mayor Tray Payne contribute to a Red Kettle last week at a Lubbock United store.

In Lubbock, Mayor Tray Payne joined South Plains Salvation Army Major David Worthy and other leaders for a kick-off event last week at Slide Road and 114th Street.

Every United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos location in Lubbock will play host to one or more Red Kettle stations. The campaign goal this year is $200,000 and it will run through Christmas Eve.

Major Tex Ellis, who recently became the Amarillo Corps' leader, was on hand to make the announcement as United Supermarkets Store Director Fernando Noriega presented a donation of $2,500 to the Salvation Army for their local efforts with the Amarillo area.

“The Red Kettle campaign in the United States is over 100 years old," Ellis said. “We are excited to be right here again in 2022 doing this. This is our biggest public fundraiser that we do all year. We are out here from this weekend all the way through Christmas Eve, and it is just a good chance for the public to see us out and about.”

The Amarillo High School New Sound Singers sing a Christmas Carol at United Supermarkets Saturday during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle kick-off event in southwest Amarillo.
The Amarillo High School New Sound Singers sing a Christmas Carol at United Supermarkets Saturday during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle kick-off event in southwest Amarillo.

Talking about the partnership with United Supermarkets, Ellis said that they are an invaluable partner in their fundraising effort.

“United is a great partner and sponsor in our local fundraising; we really thank them for their continued support,” Ellis said. “Hearing these bells ringing has become a part of the Christmas tradition, and we are so glad to be out here.”

Ellis spoke about how the Salvation Army works to help the local community and stressed that money given in the community goes to the community. He said that many see his organization as a large international entity, but dollars provided in the area go toward local programs that the Salvation Army supports.

“The donations we receive help us to provide all the services and programs that the Salvation Army provides all year," Ellis said. “It provides anything from our social services program to our shelters, our family store, our ministry and everything we do for the community. This helps us do that throughout the year.”

Within the Texas Panhandle, the Salvation Army offers ministry and spiritual counseling as well as emergency financial services to those in need. In addition, the Salvation Army of Amarillo services a local emergency shelter that is open all year.

A bell ringer for the Salvation Army spreads the word Saturday at United Supermarkets in southwest Amarillo.
A bell ringer for the Salvation Army spreads the word Saturday at United Supermarkets in southwest Amarillo.

Adding Christmas spirit to the event was the Amarillo High School New Sound Singers, led by their choir director Caroline Terrel. Starting inside the United Supermarkets on 45th Street, the choir entertained customers waiting in line for Starbucks and then proceeded outside to sing carols to incoming customers in support of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.

"It is a good opportunity for us to allow them to come into our stores and ring the bell,” Noriega said. “It is a great atmosphere that they provide for us. It rings in the Christmas season. We are always grateful to have them here, and we want to support everything they do and everything they support in our community.”

Noriega says that United Supermarkets really stands behind what the Salvation Army does for the community.

The Amarillo High School New Sound Singers entertain customers at United Supermarkets Saturday during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign kick-off event in southwest Amarillo.
The Amarillo High School New Sound Singers entertain customers at United Supermarkets Saturday during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign kick-off event in southwest Amarillo.

“We want to let our community know we are grateful for everything they do in our stores with the support they give us, and that’s why we have these programs in our stores, to give back to the community that supports us,” Noriega said. “This really helps people in need.”

So far, the Salvation Army has only about half of its 25 kettles manned throughout the city and is asking for volunteers to ring the bell for charity. Those who want to volunteer can go to https://www.registertoring.com/ or contact the organization at https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/lubbock/.

New for this year, Ellis said that the Salvation Army of Amarillo is making it easier to donate to the campaign by adding phone donations and cash or checks being accepted at kettles.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Red Kettle Kickoff: Fundraiser begins for South Plains, Panhandle Salvation Army