SA Metro Detroit Launches 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign

Media Contact:
Andrea Kenski
The Salvation Army
248.918.8532
andrea.kenski@usc.salvationarmy.org

Give With Joy: The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit
Launches 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign
Fundraising goal of $7.1 million will help provide food, shelter, toys, and year-round assistance to local families, children, and seniors in need

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (Nov. 7, 2025) -- The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit has officially launched its 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, aiming to raise $7.1 million to support neighbors in need across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

When the community Gives With Joy, every donation helps provide families and seniors with food on the table, a warm place to sleep, toys under the Christmas tree, and compassionate care throughout the year.

This year’s campaign comes at a time when the need is especially great. Nearly 70% of Detroit households experience food insecurity, and more than 1,700 people in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park are currently experiencing homelessness—a 16% increase from the year before.

“For many families, the holidays bring tough choices – between keeping the heat on or putting food on the table,” said Major Dawn Worthy, metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. “When our community comes together and gives with joy, those worries can be replaced with warmth, nourishment, and hope. Every dollar dropped in a red kettle, every gift under an Angel Tree, and every act of kindness helps remind our neighbors that they are not forgotten, and love still shines brightest at Christmas.”

Volunteers Needed

The Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles will appear outside metro Detroit storefronts beginning Friday, Nov. 7, with most bell-ringing locations in full swing by Black Friday. Kettles can be found at Kroger, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Bass Pro Shops, Busch’s, Emagine Theatres, JCPenney, Hobby Lobby, Hollywood Market, Rite Aid, Spartan Nash, Walgreens, and other participating retailers.

Bells will ring daily through Christmas Eve (excluding Sundays). Volunteers can sign up for a minimum two-hour shift at RegisterToRing.com.

Red Kettle Events

The season officially begins with the lighting of the world’s tallest red kettle at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, during the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cadillac Square. Standing 56-feet-tall and illuminated by 26,000 LED lights, the kettle will shine as a beacon of hope for metro Detroiters struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.

In partnership with the Royal Park Hotel, The Salvation Army will also host an Angel Tree kickoff event with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Rochester hotel. The event marks the start of the giving season at Royal Park Hotel, which encourages the community to “ring in the season” and support local families in need.

From Dec. 5–8, local media personalities, celebrities and civic leaders will take part in the 13^th annual Celebrity Bell Ringer Weekend, raising funds and awareness for those facing hardship. Bells will ring on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, with supporters encouraged to give in-person or donate to their favorite celebrity’s online kettle at SAmetrodetroit.org.

Angel Tree

A cherished Christmas tradition, The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program ensures that every child experiences the joy of receiving a gift on Christmas morning. Anonymous donors can “adopt” an angel online at SAMetroDetroit.org/AngelTree to purchase gifts for children in their local community. Donors can shop online and have items shipped directly to their local Salvation Army, or drop gifts at participating Walmart locations beginning Saturday, Nov. 15.

Those who prefer an in-person experience can select a tag from a physical Angel Tree located at participating Walmart locations or Salvation Army corps community centers. Each tag lists a child’s age, gender and wish list, helping donors give meaningful gifts.

Families in need of assistance this Christmas are encouraged to contact their local Salvation Army corps community center for registration details.

Last year, The Salvation Army provided more than 73,000 toys and gifts to local children and shut-in seniors—spreading joy, dignity and hope for households who might otherwise go without.

How to Give With Joy

There are several ways to support The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

·      Donate online at SAmetrodetroit.org or at any of the 300+ red kettle locations

·      Provide Christmas gifts for local children through the Angel Tree Program at SAmetrodetroit.org/angeltree

·      Text GIFT to 24365

·      Call 248.443.5500

Last year, funds raised through the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign helped provide nearly 6,800 meals each day to those experiencing food insecurity, more than 1,100 nights of shelter to individuals and families seeking a warm place to stay, and more than 10,000 gift cards to help households purchase holiday meals.

All contributions to The Salvation Army’s 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign are tax-deductible and remain in the community to support metro Detroit families.

Campaign Supporters

This year’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign is proudly supported by Bank of America, College H.U.N.K.S., Detroit Pistons, Fifth Third Bank, Meridian Health, Pat Milliken Ford, RexAir, and Royal Park Hotel.

Visit SAmetrodetroit.org to learn more about The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s 2025 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.

About The Salvation Army
Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. This past year, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing 2,467,616 meals and 402,125 nights of shelter to the community. The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit uses $.85 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need every day of the year. For more information, please call 248.443.5500 or visit SAmetrodetroit.org.

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