Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer will be participating in The Salvation Army of North Texas’ annual Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge at the Irving Walmart on Saturday, December 9. The challenge is part of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, which is the largest and longest-running fundraiser of its kind.
Local mayors and city council members, including more than 50 elected officials across North Texas, will gather donations online through The Salvation Army’s Virtual Red Kettle and ring bells at Red Kettles in various counties, including Dallas, Denton, Collin, Tarrant, and Ellis.
The funds raised through this campaign stay in local communities and support a range of social services provided by The Salvation Army, such as shelter, feeding programs, after-school programs, addiction-recovery programs, summer camps, disaster assistance, and more.
Major Paul McFarland, the area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas, emphasized the critical importance of donations made during this time, as nearly half of the annual revenue is raised between October and December.
On Saturday, December 9, elected officials across North Texas will participate at various locations, including Mayor Rick Stopfer at the Walmart in Irving, Mayor Wes Mays at Kroger in Coppell, Mayor Gerard Hudspeth at Sam’s Club in Denton, Mayor Jeff Cheney at the Star Tostitos Championship Plaza Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop in Frisco, and Mayor Mattie Parker at The Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth, among others.
The Salvation Army’s Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge is a collaborative effort to spread holiday cheer and raise funds for essential services, with each official striving to make a positive impact in their respective communities.
Moreover, in recent days, several officials have participated in ceremonial bell ringing events to support The Salvation Army, further contributing to the success of the campaign.
North Texans can join their local elected officials in registering to bell ring at a local Red Kettle at registertoring.com. They can also donate online or host their own Virtual Red Kettle as an individual or with a group.
The Red Kettle Campaign is especially needed this year to help The Salvation Army continue to address the startling realities of poverty, homelessness, and addiction. As the region’s largest social services provider, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond to the ever-changing needs of our community in every pocket of North Texas.
To learn more, visit salvationarmyntx.org/christmas.
