Former President Bush to Man Christmas Red Kettle
After kicking off with breakout country artist Carrie Underwood, the Christmas Red Kettle campaign will have its final push this week with former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara.
Manning a red kettle and bell of their own, the Bushes will join an estimated 25,000 Salvation Army bell ringers nationwide today from Houston, Texas, to close out the 2006 Christmas campaign.
One of the world’s largest red kettles will stand seven feet tall in front of a popular Houston furniture retailer, Gallery Furniture, in an effort to promote volunteerism and raise money for the annual fundraiser.
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Also joining the Bushes is National Commander Israel Gaither, who will serve as master of ceremonies. Gaither was installed in May as the first African American ever to hold the position for the United States.
The special close-out event doesn't happen often with The Salvation Army. This year, however, the Bushes, long-time supporters of the Christian non-governmental organization, were invited by a friend of theirs, also a supporter of the Army, to ring a bell for Christmas.
Bell ringing officially began on Thanksgiving Day. More than 3,900 Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Clubs and Neighborhood Markets across the country are participating in the 115-year-old campaign which will go through Christmas Eve.
Red Kettle volunteers have witnessed pleasant surprises during their hours of bell ringing this season, including the drop of a 1978 South African Krugerrand in Iowa and two gold American Eagles in Vermont and Florida.
More than 300 gold coins have been donated since 1982, Salvation Army spokesperson Melissa Temme told USA Today. One of the American Eagle coins dropped in the kettles this year could be worth up to $900.
The Red Kettle campaign raised a record $111 million last year, which included sharp increases in online donations.
