PRESS RELEASE
Kettle Kickoff 2011: "A Record-Breaking Christmas"
Nov. 9 event at Cub Foods Knollwood to include world record attempt, free food, prizes, fun activities
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – November 7, 2011 – The Christmas season officially begins Nov. 9, when the Twin Cities Salvation Army will hold Kettle Kickoff 2011 from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cub Foods Knollwood, 3620 Texas Ave. S. in St. Louis Park.
The magic number to remember that day is 29. That’s how many nonstop hours KOOL 108 morning show host Jeff Olsen will bell ring during his attempt to exceed the world record of 28 hours, 55 minutes. He will begin ringing at Cub Foods Knollwood the day before at 12:10 p.m.
Twenty-nine is also the number of dollars The Salvation Army will ask its supporters to donate, giving $1 or more for every hour Olsen bell rings. If The Salvation Army gathers at least $29,000 worth of Online Red Kettle donations that day, it will set a new one-day record. The Salvation Army will also attempt to break the record for most volunteer bell ringing hours signed up for in one day, currently at 900 hours.
“There are three ways people can help us with our commitment to serve families in crisis,” said Major Jeff Strickler, Twin Cities Salvation Army Commander. “They can donate money, or as Jeff Olsen is doing, donate their time at a kettle this season, and most importantly pray for this campaign and our success which ultimately means giving hope to those who have no place else to turn.”
Kettle Kickoff will culminate with a 5 p.m. countdown ceremony as Olsen breaks the bell ringing record, followed by the declaration of The Salvation Army’s 2011 Christmas fundraising goal and major announcements from Cub Foods and the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS®.
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Needless to say, Kettle Kickoff will feature an entire day of other fun activities, including a heated tent filled with nonstop entertainment, live music, prizes, food and “record-breaking” games organized by the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. Additional prizes will be offered by KOOL 108, which will broadcast the event live from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cub Foods Knollwood will provide all the food, with loads of free coffee, donuts and snacks. In addition, its Brat Wagon will be outside selling juicy bratwurst Nov. 8–9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with all proceeds going to The Salvation Army.
“Cub Foods has been an incredible partner, not just in the years of allowing kettles at all of its stores, but this year Cub Foods Knollwood employees will be covering the bell ringing at their store on Thursday for 10 hours,” said Strickler. “That’s the kind of partnership we love – corporate leadership and employees getting behind an important cause to serve the community.”
The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 214,000 people a year through its 25 local centers of operation. Daily it serves 2,100 hot meals and shelters 900 people. More than 33,000 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide these and other services, from child daycare to senior housing. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a donation, please call 651-746-3400 or toll free at 800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
