Stoltz, Whalen, Carter: Three local celebrities help launch Christmas fundraising campaign
The Salvation Army is proud to announce that three influential local partners – Dan Stoltz, Lindsay Whalen, and Cris Carter – will help promote our Christmas fundraising campaign this year, which seeks to raise millions of dollars for Minnesotans in need of food, shelter and care.
Throughout the holidays, all three will encourage Salvation Army supporters to Be the Light for families in need this Christmas season by ringing bells at a Red Kettle, volunteering, or giving a donation.
Here’s more about each of these exceptional partners:
Dan Stoltz
Dan Stoltz is well known in the Twin Cities as being the face of Blaze Credit Union. As CEO, he led the organization through a recent merger to become Minnesota’s third largest credit union with more than 250,000 members.
In his 25 years with the company, Stoltz has made it a point to give back to the communities in which the organization serves. In keeping with that mission, he has long been a supporter of The Salvation Army.
Stoltz recently accepted the role as Salvation Army Red Kettle Community Chair for 2024 and will help promote our holiday fundraising campaign throughout the holidays.
“Giving back to those less fortunate is a fundamental principle of humanity,” Stoltz said. “That’s why at Blaze, we make it a priority to support the work of organizations like The Salvation Army, and I would encourage others to make a gift at the kettle or volunteer to ring a bell this holiday season.”
Lindsay Whalen
Former Minnesota Lynx star and WNBA Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen is helping raise awareness about the critical work The Salvation Army does throughout Minnesota, educating the public about the broad range of services we provide to individuals and families in need.
Whalen is a Minnesota native who became the University of Minnesota’s all-time leading scorer and helped lead the team to an NCAA Final Four appearance. As a player for the Minnesota Lynx, she helped her team capture four WNBA championships. She also won two Olympic gold medals and is both a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
"Partnering with The Salvation Army is an incredible opportunity to shine a light on the people and programs that are making a real difference in our community," Whalen said. "I’ve always believed in the power of teamwork, and I see that same commitment in the work The Salvation Army does every day."
Cris Carter
Former Minnesota Vikings receiver and NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter has returned for his second consecutive Christmas season of supporting our work. He knows from experience how The Salvation Army helps people in need; as a child, The Salvation Army helped his single-parent family of seven kids obtain clothes, food, gifts, and spiritual guidance.
“I know firsthand what the work of The Salvation Army means to a family who’s struggling,” Carter said recently. “That’s why it’s important to me to encourage people to join in their mission and make Minnesota a better place to live for everyone.”
The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraising efforts officially begin this weekend, when Whalen and Stoltz will help kick off The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle season and light up the “Tree of Lights” in St. Paul’s Rice Park on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Learn more about this event.
Stoltz, Whalen and Carter will continue their support throughout the Christmas season with public service announcements, social media campaigns, and special events to highlight The Salvation Army’s long history of serving Minnesotans in need.
This Christmas season, you can Be the Light in somebody’s life by providing food, shelter and care for people in need. Join The Salvation Army today by giving a donation, signing up to volunteer, or ringing bells at a Red Kettle.