The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps will host its inaugural Red Kettle Kickoff at the SCV Corps office, 22935 Lyons Ave. in Newhall, on Thursday, November 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Actress, activist and author Tippi Hedren will host the event, which ushers in the most important fund-raising time for one of the most important social service organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The evening will feature music courtesy of a Salvation Army Brass Band and the showcasing of the “Kettle Bug” – a VW Beetle modified into the largest mobile Salvation Army red kettle in America and capable of accepting both cash and credit card donations.

More than $140 million is donated to The Salvation Army red kettles nationwide each holiday season. When the red kettles and bell ringers fan out across the Santa Clarita Valley after the November 16 Kickoff, all money donated will stay in the SCV, to help neighbors in need.

The Salvation Army has been taking that spare change and turning it into tangible acts of kindness and assistance in Southern California for more than 130 years.

The Salvation Army’s Santa Clarita Corps provides basic social services to more than 4,900 people each year in the form of grocery orders, utility assistance and emergency lodging.

During Christmas 2016, the Santa Clarita SVC Corps provided groceries to more than 370 families, toys and winter coats to more than 2,000 children.

Besides just having a good time of music, fun and family, attendees at the Santa Clarita Corps’ Red Kettle Kickoff will have the opportunity to sign up to be a volunteer bell ringer.

For information about the Kickoff or how to become a volunteer bell ringer, contact Envoys Jerry and Laura Bloom at 661-799-5841.

For more information, including volunteer opportunities, contact Envoys Jerry and Laura Bloom at 661-799-5841 or visit santaclarita.salvationarmy.org.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1880 in the United States. Today, more than 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and underprivileged children. About 87 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 7,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmysocal.org.