Today Is Red Kettle Day In Metro Detroit: Donate To Make A Difference

DETROIT (WWJ) - The city of Detroit is turning red to help raise awareness of the final days of The Salvation Army 2016 Red Kettle Campaign, which ends when red kettles leave storefronts on Christmas Eve.

And the need is ever greater this year -- the Salvation Army is less than half-way toward meeting their fundraising goal of $8.4 million. Right now, totals stand around $2.87 million, with just 15 days left in the campaign.

Can't make it to a kettle? — Donate online at this link

Call 877-SAL-MICH or make a donation by texting "SALMICH" to 71777

The centerpiece of the Red Kettle Day is a lunchtime celebration in Campus Martius Park from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. The celebration will include a bell-ringing competition to see who can raise the most donations, an appearance by Detroit Lions' mascot Roary and a live performance by The Salvation Army Brass Band. Last year's bell ringing competition raised $80,000 for the Salvation Army in just one hour.

Current and alumni Detroit Red Wings players and staff will serve as red kettle bell ringers at Hockeytown Authentics, in Troy, and four Kroger locations across metro Detroit from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, competing against each other to see who can raise the most money to help those in need. Fans are asked to make a $10 donation per autograph at all four locations.

At the Kroger in Northville (425 North Center St.), Head Coach Jeff Blashill will join Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland; Forwards Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm will be ringing bells at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (1845 E. Big Beaver Rd.); Forwards Anthony Mantha and Luke Glendening will also represent the Red Wings at Kroger in Royal Oak (2200 East 12 Mile Rd.); Red Wings Alumni Chris Chelios, Kris Draper and Chris Osgood will bell ring at a second Kroger location in Northville (17447 Haggerty Rd.).

Several of Detroit's tallest buildings are also turning red to help raise awareness of the final days of the fundraising campaign. And WWJ Newsradio 950 will be broadcasting live interviews and reports mid-day from downtown Detroit's Campus Martius Park.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign:

• Drop a donation into one of the hundreds of red kettles at storefronts across metro Detroit through Dec. 24.

• Visit www.salmich.org

• Call 877-SAL-MICH

• Text "SALMICH" to 71777 to donate via mobile phone

• Send a check or money order, made payable to The Salvation Army, to: 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075