North Texas Elected Officials Lend Support to The Salvation Army This Holiday Season
While The Salvation Army continues its holiday giving season to meet the needs of tens of thousands of North Texans, elected officials across the region are lending their support to ensure the organization can provide hope and help all year-long.
Our most vulnerable neighbors combatting poverty, addiction, and homelessness are facing greater hardship than ever before with the impacts of inflation, rising evictions, and lingering effects of the pandemic. As the region’s largest provider of social services, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond to these changing needs of our community in every pocket of North Texas.
With the help of generous contributions during the holiday season, The Salvation Army delivers services year-round so local families and individuals can achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency. To help the organization meet increasing requests for assistance this year, elected officials across North Texas are dedicating their time to spread the holiday spirit and show that love exists beyond the most difficult situations.
“We are so grateful for the support of our local elected officials to raise awareness of the daily struggles impacting North Texans,” said Major Paul McFarland, area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas. “The Salvation Army relies on the support of volunteers, partners, and generous donors to raise essential funds during the holiday season, which enable God-empowered transformations that meet the immediate and long-term needs of North Texans all year long.”
Over 19 elected officials will bell ring at Red Kettles across the Tarrant, Denton, and Collin County areas while challenging each other within each county cluster to raise the most donations.
On Friday, December 9, in coordination with The National Commander’s Red Kettle Challenge, that includes:
Mayor Lynn Clark at Walmart in Hickory Creek
Mayor Brianna Chacon at Walmart in Princeton
Mayor Jeff Cheney at Hobby Lobby in Frisco
Mayor George Fuller at Hobby Lobby in McKinney
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth at Sam’s Club in Denton
Mayor T Lynn Tompkins Jr. at Walmart in Cross Roads
Mayor Jim Olk at Walmart in Lucas
Each year, The Salvation Army National Commander, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, challenges Salvation Army officers, employees, community supporters, and more to raise more funds than him in a four-hour shift. This year’s goal is to raise $1.5 million nationally.
On Saturday, December 10 that includes:
Mayor Jaclyn Carrington at Kroger in Bartonville
Mayor Jim Ross at Decorator’s Warehouse in Arlington
Mayor Michael Evans at Market Street in Mansfield
Mayor Laurie Bianco at Ground’s and Gold Co. and Green Produce in Dalworthington Gardens
Mayor Russ Brewster at Walmart in Pantego
Mayor Oscar Trevino at Kroger in North Richland Hills
Mayor TJ Gilmore at Sam’s Club in Lewisville
Mayor Linda Martin at Kroger in Euless
Mayor Stephanie Boardingham at Walgreens in Forest Hill
Mayor Henry Wilson at Walmart in Hurst
Mayor Jan Joplin at Walmart in Kennedale
Mayor Derek France at Hobby Lobby in Flower Mound
The Plano City Council at Kroger and Walmart locations (They will also bell ring on Saturday, December 17)
Additionally, Mayor Mattie Parker rang in the holiday season with a ceremonial bell ringing during a city council meeting at Fort Worth City Hall on Giving Tuesday, November 29.
Mayor David Bristol bell rang at Kroger in Prosper on Friday, December 2. Mayor Daniel Jaworski bell rang at Walmart in Highland Village on Saturday, December 3.
Mayor Eric Johnson joined Majors Paul and Dawn McFarland, area commanders of The Salvation Army of North Texas, to bell ring and raise donations at NorthPark Center in Dallas on Monday, December 5.
Mayor John Muns, Mayor Paul Voelker, and the Mayors from Collin and Denton are raising funds through their own Virtual Red Kettles.
North Texans can join their local elected official and register 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. Donations stay in the community where they were given to meet local needs.
To learn more, visit salvationarmyntx.org/christmas.