Enrique Iglesias to Kick Off 120th Anniversary of Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Thanksgiving Day Game

Pop superstar Enrique Iglesias announced today during his sold outEuphoria tour stop at Madison Square Garden that he will be the featured performer for The Salvation Army's 15th annual Red Kettle Kickoff during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins on November 24, 2011 (4:15 p.m. ET; CBS). Enrique's Live Nationally televised performance will mark the start of the 120th anniversary of the Army's iconic Red Kettle Campaign, which began in San Francisco in 1891.

The iconic kettle campaign is the largest and longest running fundraiser of its kind and raised a record $142 million in 2010, with more than $1.4 billion raised since the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day partnership began. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of this iconic musical partnership, fans will have an opportunity to win an expense-paid trip to see the Cowboy's game and halftime show performance by signing up to be an online virtual bell ringer at www.OnlineRedKettle.org.    

"This is a great opportunity – to spend Thanksgiving in Dallas where music, football and helping others truly comes together," said Enrique. "The Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army have a great partnership --  throw in some great music and I know we can get viewers dancing and encourage donors to give generously this Christmas when so many need a hand up."

One of the most celebrated and recognized Latin Artists of all time, Enrique has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide. Most recently, Enrique was on a sold out arena tour in support of his 2010 smash-hit album, Euphoria. The album has sold 4 million copies worldwide and includes the hits "I Like It," "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" and the new single "I Like How it Feels" featuring Pitbull. Enrique has won a Grammy and a Latin Grammy, as well as 16 Billboard Music Awards, 23 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 5 American Music Awards and 7 World Music Awards.

As part of the announcement, Enrique was presented with a special Dallas Cowboys jersey with "Enrique" and the number 67 on the back to highlight the 67 #1 spots on the Billboard charts Enrique has had over his career. He also met with children from The Salvation Army's Harlem Temple Corps in New York City, who were presented with special Dallas Cowboys jerseys.

"We are more than excited to have superstar artist Enrique Iglesias kickoff the Red Kettle Campaign. We know he will put on a halftime performance that will commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Cowboys partnership with The Salvation Army in style," said Charlotte Jones Anderson, Dallas Cowboys' executive vice president of brand management and Chairperson of The Salvation Army's National Advisory Board.

Enrique's performance highlights the 15-year musical tradition of using the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime show to launch the Red Kettle Campaign. During this time period, The Salvation Army has raised more than $1.4 billion in red kettles to help people in need.  Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign allow The Salvation Army to serve 30 million people in 5,000 communities nationwide each year. Previous halftime performers that helped bring awareness to the campaign include Keith Urban, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

"Not only is it the 15th anniversary of the important and remarkable partnership between The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys, it's also the 120th anniversary of the Red Kettle Campaign. And, after 120 years, The Salvation Army continues to meet the needs of families and individuals who have fallen on hard times thanks to the American donor," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. "We're honored that the Cowboys family has embraced The Salvation Army and our mission of providing critical care to millions of people every Christmas and throughout the year."

As part of the Red Kettle Kickoff, fans of Enrique Iglesias and the Cowboys will be eligible to win a trip for two to theThanksgiving Day game in Dallas by signing up to host an Online Red Kettle at www.OnlineRedKettle.org.  The person who recruits the highest number of donors to give to their individual "virtual kettle" before 12 noon on Friday, November 18th will be eligible to win an expenses-paid trip to the game and on-the-field passes for the halftime performance.  Complete rules and contest details are available at www.OnlineRedKettle.org. Last year, more than $1.6 million was raised through Online Red Kettles to support the Christmas campaign. This year, the overall fundraising goal is $3 million.

In addition to giving to traditional and online kettles, supporters can give through the Army's text-to-give program. Donors can text the word "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Red Kettle Campaign.

From its humble origin as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2010, the campaign raised more than $142 millionnationwide, a new record supported by the public's  nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to 30 million Americans in need.

For more information on The Salvation Army and the Red Kettle Kickoff, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/,www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus. 

 

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