Kettle season kicks off with world's largest harp
The Salvation Army’s 2019 red kettle season officially kicked off Nov. 22-23 at the Mall of America with William Close and the Earth Harp. (View photos.)
Thousands of shoppers and Salvation Army supporters watched in amazement as Close strummed the Earth Harp during five separate performances. The Earth Harp holds the Guinness World Record for longest playable stringed musical instrument; its strings traveled over the audience and attached to the second floor of the Mall of America Rotunda, transforming the Rotunda space into a gigantic instrument.
“The Salvation Army does amazing work – and it is amazing to be here celebrating that work,” Close said.
Close is an installation artist, musician and visionary who has developed more than 100 new musical instruments, including the famed Earth Harp. He has performed the instrument in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including the Coliseum in Rome, Seattle Space Needle, and MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Kettle Kickoff marked the first time Close has performed the Earth Harp in Minnesota.
“We applaud William Close for bringing his musical genius to Minnesota and for joining The Salvation Army’s mission to fight for good this Christmas season,” said Lt. Col. Lonneal Richardson, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division.
Cub grocery stores added even more excitement to the weekend by matching all kettle donations made in the Twin Cities on Nov. 23, up to $20,000.
Throw your hat in the ring
The Twin Cities Salvation Army needs more bell ringers to join in the #FightForGood. Sign up to ring now.
Bell ringing is a fun and easy way to help people in need. During one two-hour shift, you’ll raise an average of $60 – enough to provide a homeless person with two days of food and shelter at The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis. Kettle donations also help The Salvation Army to provide youth programs, family mentoring, disaster relief, addiction counseling, and other valuable services.
The 2019 kettle season runs weekdays and Saturdays until Christmas Eve. Sign up to bell ring at any of 300-plus kettle locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
The Twin Cities Salvation Army hopes to raise $12 million this Christmas season, with kettle donations accounting for about $2.5 million of that goal.
Thousands of hardworking families are battling poverty in Minnesota and North Dakota. You can help them win by donating $25 a month or becoming a bell ringer. Join The Salvation Army this Christmas season and #FightForGood.