I am so honored to be sharing with you the Salvation Army’s 2015 #RedKettleReason campaign.
A giving spirit is important no matter what the time of year, but the holidays are an extra special time where we are reminded just how critical it is to give back — to build stronger communities and bring joy to others.
My #RedKettleReason is my children. I was fortunate to grow up in a community where I was involved in volunteer work throughout my childhood and teen years and it left an impact on me on the importance of serving my community and helping the less fortunate. This went on through adulthood and my family continues to support causes and organizations that are important to us – and that includes The Salvation Army. I want my children to grow up knowing the importance of giving back and experiencing the joy of making a difference. I hope to provide them with opportunities to do so as they grow. Last year, Harper helped us pick out toys for the children we sponsored for Christmas and I hope to do something involving my children every year, even if they don’t yet fully understand the meaning of what we are doing – one day, they will.
You’ve probably noticed that each year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, The Salvation Army collects donations in front of stores and on street corners nationwide in their signature Red Kettles. The money collected not only provides meals and shelter for families and Christmas toys for millions of children during the holiday season, but also supplies necessary resources for numerous other social services programs year-round such as substance abuse programs, domestic violence respite and counseling services, and military veteran assistance programs.
This season for the second year, The Salvation Army is launching the #RedKettleReason campaign to encourage people everywhere to share their reasons for giving back during the holidays. By posting a video to Twitter sharing your #RedKettleReason with the hashtag #GivingSpreeSweeps, you can enter for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to NYC to go on a Salvation Army “Giving Spree,î a shopping spree for children in need in your local community. The winner will get to fly all of the gifts back to their hometown to help distribute them.
Entering is easy— share a #RedKettleReason on video to Instagram, Vimeo, or YouTube. The video should explain why you support The Salvation Army and why your local Salvation Army childrenís shelter or program deserves to win. Then, tweet a link to the video on Twitter using the hashtags #RedKettleReason and #GivingSpreeSweeps. Full rules and details on how to enter are available on redkettlereason.org.
The finalists will be announced on Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2015) and will be featured on RedKettleReason.org for voting.
You can follow The Salvation Amy on Twitter (@SalvationArmyUS) or visit the official website.
Whatís your #RedKettleReason? Tell me in the comments and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!
Gift Card Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: ì#SweepstakesEntryî; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/18/15 ñ 12/20/15.
Be sure to visit The Salvation Army brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí posts!
Jane says
My #RedKettleReason is my little 3 yr old boy too. I want him to grow up being thankful and grateful for what we have but also realize that not everybody is blessed and we need to reach out and help in any way we can.
Mami2jcn says
My reason is that I’m thankful our family is fortunate to have a home, food, and gifts at Christmas, and I like to give back to those who aren’t as fortunate.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/667145864696176640
Melissa says
My #redkettlereason is my son. I want him to be a loving and compassionate person.
Robin says
Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Elena says
My #RedKettleReason is to help people in need and to give back to my community
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/667369381446336512
Kelly D says
My #RedKettleReason is to help another family have a nice holiday, so they can have one less thing to worry about.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/667381805834739712
Stephanie says
My reason is because it’s important to recognize the circumstances that bring people to their current place and to share with those that need a helping hand.
Stephanie says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/D_is_for_Doodle/status/667412395631886336
heather says
My #RedKettleReason is everyone should have a nice holiday. We donate to local shelters and organizations and also to pet shelters.
LaTanya says
my #RedKettleReason is giving back to kids that may not have a Christmas or get gifts
LaTanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/667522501581381632
Lauren says
It’s a shame you would choose to partner with a charitable organization that refuses to acknowledge a portion of our world’s population.
There are many outstanding charitable organizations that believe in helping EVERYONE.
Jessie C. says
My #RedKettleReason is to share and give back while be thankful for what I have, this is the holiday spirit.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/667564449973141504
Nicole says
My #redkettlereasaon is about teaching my 3 kids to have grateful hearts and to give back. They have NO IDEA the struggle that other children have.
Erika says
My reason is that we have been a family with very little money, and Christmas was especially stressful because of it. I want my children to appreciate everything they have, and to know how blessed they are. I want them to give back to others, too.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Jeffrey says
My #RedKettleReason is to show my boys the importance of sharing with those less fortunate. They don’t understand that some kids don’t even have the basic necessities much less video games.
Jeffrey says
I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/667813531463520256.
Natalie Mattson says
My #RedKettleReason is that there are many impoverished families living in our own communities here in America. I want to make Christmas extra special for children whose hardworking parents cannot afford to give them gifts.
Nicole Love says
Just wanted to say thank you so much for participating in this Red Kettle Reason Campaign! I am a faithful reader :), and I also grew up with parents who worked for the Salvation Army. I have seen some of the amazing programs and services that they provide and am so grateful that you are helping to spread the word and support this holiday season! THANK YOU!!
Natalie says
My #RedKettleReason is to bless others and give back to the community because I have been SO blessed in my own life. I also want to lead by example and teach my family good values of giving back to others.
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/667890689376563200
Lisa Brown says
My #RedKettleReason is because I feel for those that have nothing: no new clothing, not enough food, not enough money, so I give to The Salvation Army, other charities, and locally to food banks, to do what I can to try and alleviate some of this hardship.
Lisa Brown says
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/668154432186552320
Madeline says
My #RedKettleReason is that I enjoy giving and helping others who are less fortunate. And I hope that I can help make the world a better place, even if it’s only in some small way.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/668238314047152128
Kimmy Ripley says
My #RedKettleReason is that it is important to give back during the holiday season. I love to help families that need help.
Allison Swain says
My #RedKettleReason is my family. They are always there for me and I am so thankful to have them. We all love giving back any way that we can!
Thank you for the giveaway
Allison Swain says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/668486276866285569
Elle says
My #RedKettleReason is the importance of giving to those less fortunate than yourself when you can and the lessons it teaches my kids.
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/669184399900999680
Tara says
I want to teach my kids that giving back is important!
Tara says
https://twitter.com/3taratops/status/669515074881523712
Anne says
The Salvation Army was instrumental in helping my uncle find his way out of a difficult life and into a place where he could live in peace and dignity, and I’ll always be grateful to them for that. My uncle is my #RedKettleReason.
Anne says
I shared your blog post and the Salvation Army’s #RedKettleReason campaign on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/669970895365083136
Thank you!
D Schmidt says
My #RedKettleReason is to do what I can to make another person’s day a little bit brighter. We all go through hard times in our lives and we need to empathize more and make a difference in the world.
Amy says
My #RedKettleReason is that I believe having the ability to give is a privilege! I believe I’m “getting more” by giving to others who are less fortunate.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/670151296821784576
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Ty says
My redkettlereason is to help those less fortunate than me at this special time of year.
Thuy Vu says
https://twitter.com/spillerkustoms/status/670526795184230400
Thuy Vu says
My Red Kettle Reason #RedKettleReason Is that I want to treat others with kindness and dignity #SweepstakesEntry
Cynthia C says
My #RedKettleReason is to help make sure families who are not as fortunate as mine have an opportunity for a happier holiday.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/670570890380353536
Tina m says
I want to help people in need and make them happy!
Tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/670805125028552704
Gina M says
My #RedKettleReason is to give back to those in need because I would hope someone would do the same for me if I were in a bad situation.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/674628172864974850
Kristen says
Any of us or someone we know could be the one in need at some time and those of us that are able to help should do so.
Kristen says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/675392406582259712
Susan Smith says
My #RedKettleReason is to help people that are less fortunate and to give back to my community
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/675527003915681792
kjasus says
my reason would be so i can give to those who have none, to be a blessing
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/675883750287347712
Rebecca Graham says
My reason is to help those in need and teach my children to do the same.
Stephanie Phelps says
MY #REDKETTLEREASON we have had to ask for help once and it was hard so now I want to pay it forward.
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/676144100106706944
Laura J says
My #RedKettleReason is to help those in need. Christmas is a great time to teach our own how to give and be thankful. The Red Kettle is so important to so many children!
sandra says
to raise responsible children
Emily N. says
To help out those in poverty in our community.
Emily N. says
https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/677644501058527232
Will G says
My #RedKettleReason is to help others.
Will G says
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/677658061759258625
Aurelie Red says
My #RedKettleReason is giving Christmas gifts to poor children ♥
Aurelie Red says
My tweet https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/677800506543243264
angie says
I was raised to always give and so I do. Generosity is one of the best features of the human race!
Seyma Shabbir says
My reason is to help others and be a good example to my sons!
Seyma Shabbir says
https://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/677968566638026754
ELIZABETH P says
My #redkettlereason is making sure every kid knows someone loves them
ELIZABETH P says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/678056054542884864
Ellie Wright says
My #RedKettleReason is to give back as much as I’m able. We don’t have a lot, but we are blessed in so many ways. If I can’t give with money, I try to give with time.
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/678074303640788992
erica best says
My #RedKettleReason isthat u never know when u may need help anytime of the year and not just christmams time i had a house fire some year ago they were there for me.
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/678103067347296256
Debbie says
I work for a non-profit that assists low income families. I know that our families depend on Salvation Army year round but especially this time of year. It’s hard to think of a child not having a Christmas. That’s my reason.
Debbie says
https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/678375892155031556
Thomas Murphy says
My #RedKettleReason is I like to give what ever I can to people that need help during the holidays.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/678421987144957952
Ellen Casper says
My #RedKettleReason is giving to people less fortunate that my family is.
Ellen Casper says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/678422870440198144
Karine Traverse says
We received so much help while in a homeless shelter for nearly 14 months that once we can give back we will
Veronika says
How brave of you to share your story. I am so happy that there are organizations out there to help anyone in need. Best wishes to you!
Karine Traverse says
Tweeted https://mobile.twitter.com/SAHMofDQ/status/678460151393816576
Jerry Marquardt says
My #RedKettleReason is the do the right thing for others.
Jerry Marquardt says
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/678499796089376768
Tabathia B says
We’ll I have had hard times as a single mom and know and understand what it is to struggle and not be able to put food on the table for your kids or have clothing or presents under the tree
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/678676036490534913
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Betty C says
My #RedKettleReason is having seen some of the need for help in our community, especially during the holidays, it makes me thankful for my family and home. I want to share whenever I can.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/678681262760943617
janetfaye says
My #RedKettleReason is to help others the way many have helped me when I needed it.
janetfaye says
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/678685542855372801
WHITNEY says
My red kettle reason is to give to those that have less than I do.
WHITNEY says
I sent out a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/678730407680999425
Shawn Gallagher says
Making an impact in the world makes me feel good!
Shawn Gallagher says
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/678898321239498752!