Salvation Army Kicks Off this Year’s Red Kettle Fundraising Campaign in Lubbock

Today, at United Supermarket's Market Street at 98^th Street and Quaker Avenue, the Salvation Army officially launched this year's Red Kettle fundraising campaign for Lubbock.

Major Michael Morton, who is the executive director of the Salvation Army of Lubbock, talked about who will be helped by this year's campaign, "We have 3,700 children in need of gifts. We have 1,700 families in need of assistance and food boxes.  We have 130 individuals in need of work, that we put to work as bell ringers.  And we've increased our Red Kettle goal from $225,000 to $250,000 to help meet our increased need this year."

Major Morton discussed the increased services being provided, "At the Salvation Army, we've increased our emergency shelter size and our sheltering capacity from 48 beds to 84 beds. We've added transitional sheltering and transitional housing. We're increasing our overall outreach too."

The Salvation Army is also accepting donations in a new way this Christmas season.  Major Morton explains, "This year we are adding credit card machines to 10 Red Kettle locations in Lubbock."  The machines will be located adjacent to the Red Kettles for easy access.  KFYO is sponsoring the Red Kettle credit card location at Sam's Club located on the Marsha Sharp Freeway.

Other Red Kettle credit card locations in Lubbock include: the United Supermarkets location at 82nd Street & Frankford, sponsored by SportsRadio 1340 The Fan; United Supermarkets Market Street at 98th & Quaker, sponsored by 99-5 The Bear; Hobby Lobby at 68th & Slide, sponsored by KOOL 98; JCPenney at the South Plains Mall, sponsored by 94.5 FMX and the Women's Dillard's at the South Plains Mall, sponsored by 102.5 KISS FM.

Texas Tech mascot Raider Red, former Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball coach Marsha Sharp and members of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce helped the launch this year’s Red Kettle Fundraising campaign. Coach Sharp was the inaugural bell ringer and Raider Red made the first donation.

The Salvation Army will be accepting applications for seasonal assistance at 1111 16th Street until December 1.

This year's toy distribution will take place on Tuesday, December 20 at the South Plains Fairgrounds.

For more information about receiving assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2011, or to volunteer, please call the Salvation Army of Lubbock at (806) 765-9434.