Salvation Army kicks off holiday season with red kettle launch and special guest Hank the Horse
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Salvation Army kicked off the holiday season in Lexington with its annual bell-ringing celebration, complete with community leaders, ringing kettles and a special appearance from Hank the Horse.
Officials highlighted the spirit of giving and the importance of supporting families in need throughout the winter months.
Alex Risen, a Salvation Army representative, described the kickoff as a moment the community recognizes each year.
“It’s a celebration, an official kick off to our red kettle campaign. It’s synonymous with the holiday season. Everyone is so used to hearing that bell ring… this is kinda one of those moments where we get to officially say, hey it’s time that we are really focused on the season of giving,” Risen said.
Major General David Childs expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized the increased need this year.
“This community really rallies around. All the nonprofits, especially the Salvation Army, and we are grateful for the help that they give,” Childs said.
“We need to raise about a million dollars in addition to what we normally do to meet the need of what’s coming… that there’s just an increased need of people coming seeking services looking for help from the Salvation Army.”
With the holiday season underway, bell ringers and red kettles will begin appearing outside businesses across Lexington. Mayor Linda Gorton also joined the celebration, ringing the bell and sharing her appreciation for the organization.
“They feed people, they also serve people and they had been around a long time and they are all dedicated to this mission… and it’s really good for our community because it’s about people serving people,” Mayor Gorton said.
She also reflected on one of her favorite personal Salvation Army memories.
“When I was actually a teenager, I would put on a Santa hat and red clothes and I would go out and ring the kettle in my hometown up in Ohio.”
Alongside the mayor was Hank the Horse, the Salvation Army’s beloved mascot, who delighted attendees and brought an extra layer of festive cheer.
“Hank has been a bell ringer with the Salvation Army for 7 years, through our Read with Hank and Ring with Hank literacy excellence campaign, we’ve been able to raise $70,000 for Hank’s red kettle,” his handler said, adding that Hank typically rings the bell on his own — just not today.
