Enrique Iglesias Kicks Off Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game

Nation's Longest Running Fundraiser Celebrates 120th Anniversary

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Nov 29, 2011, 02:30 ET

ARLINGTON, Texas, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Global superstar and Grammy award winner Enrique Iglesias will perform LIVE for The Salvation Army's 15th annual Red Kettle Kickoff during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins at 3:15 CST on the CBS television network. The nationally televised performance launches The Salvation Army's 120th annual Red Kettle Campaign, which began on the wharf in San Francisco in 1891 and has spread worldwide to raise money for people in need. Last year, the campaign recorded a record $142 million, mostly in small denomination donations from holiday shoppers. This year, the nation's oldest and longest running fundraiser will continue to expand its partnerships and use of technology to give donors and volunteers more ways to help others.

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"I am excited to perform for a national television audience on Thanksgiving Day and to kick off the holiday giving season," said Enrique Iglesias. "I am glad to have the opportunity to give back with my time and talents. I hope to inspire others to take part in the Red Kettle Campaign this year as well."

As part of the halftime show, Enrique will perform a number of his top hits, including "I Like It," "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" and "I Like How it Feels" from his hit album, Euphoria. Enrique's performance will mark the 15th anniversary of The Salvation Army's partnership with the Dallas Cowboys. Since the partnership began in 1997, the Red Kettle Campaign has raised more than $1.4 billion. Previous halftime performers included: Keith Urban, Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire.

"Together, the Dallas Cowboys and The Salvation Army bring something special to Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, when so many people are working hard to make ends meet," said Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. "When we combine that with the star power of Enrique Iglesias, millions of viewers will know that they can make a difference in their community by making a contribution into a red kettle."

The 2011 Red Kettle Campaign will bring The Salvation Army's iconic kettles to street corners and storefronts nationwide through December 24. The kettles will not only accept cash, but select locations will also accept credit cards. Donors can also ring a virtual Red Kettle online at http://www.onlineredkettle.org/, donate by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text the word "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Red Kettle Campaign.

"Thanksgiving is a time when we stop to reflect on all of God's blessings," said Commissioner William Roberts, National Commander for The Salvation Army. "It's also a time when we remember all those across the country and around the world who are less fortunate. We are grateful to have so much support from Enrique and the Cowboys, as well as our corporate and retail partners who make this possible. And we send a special thanks to the 25,000 bell ringers who stand on street corners and sacrifice their time and effort to help others. On behalf of The Salvation Army, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas."

More information on the Red Kettle Campaign is available online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more 130 years in the United States. Nearly 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 opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About Enrique Iglesias

With more than 58 million copies sold worldwide, 24 #1 tracks on the Billboard Charts, unbeatable records, countless awards and thousands of sold out concerts around the globe, Enrique Iglesias continues to be one of the most successful artists in modern music. Iglesias holds the record for the most #1's on the Billboard Dance chart by a male artist surpassing Prince and Michael Jackson with NINE #1 Billboard Dance Chart hits including "I Like It," featuring Pitbull; "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)," featuring Ludacris & DJ Frank; and "Dirty Dancer" with Usher featuring Lil Wayne. Iglesias is currently promoting his latest release, Euphoria, a star-studded affair featuring guest appearances by Akon, Juan Luis Guerra, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher and Wisin & Yandel and produced by RedOne (Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige), Mark Taylor (Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears) and Enrique's long-time collaborator, Carlos Paucar. The album is the first Enrique Iglesias album to feature songs in both Spanish and English. Iglesias is just finishing up the sold-out North American leg of his Euphoria tour with a final sold-out night at Madison Square Garden on November 4! This MSG performance marks the 2nd time in 2011 he has sold out the venue.

About Gene & Jerry Jones Family Charities

In the area of community service, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities' mission is built upon an overall philosophy of helping those who don't have the strength, the resources or the means to help themselves. As a sports entity that has enjoyed unprecedented success and recognition for more than four decades, the Dallas Cowboys feel a very strong obligation to transfer that championship tradition and the magic that it creates toward the bigger purpose of making a difference in the community. More information about the Dallas Cowboys is available at www.dallascowboys.com.

SOURCE The Salvation Army