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2011 marks the 120th anniversary of The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
Pop superstar Enrique Iglesias will perform at The Salvation Army’s 15th annual Red Kettle Kickoff during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 24. The live nationally televised performance marks the start of the 120th anniversary of the Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign, which began in San Francisco in 1891.
The 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.
“This is a great opportunity—to spend Thanksgiving in Dallas where music, football and helping others truly comes together,” Iglesias said after announcing he would be performing at the event. “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, Iglesias has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide. Most recently, he 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. Iglesias has won a Grammy and a Latin Grammy, as well as 16 Billboard Music Awards, 23 Billboard Latin Music Awards, five American Music Awards and seven World Music Awards.
“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, at the time of the announcement.
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 include Keith Urban, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow.
“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.”
