Celebrity Families Across the USA Ring Bells With The Salvation Army

This holiday season, prominent families and community members are stepping forward to join in spreading Christmas joy to those in need by participating in the century-long tradition of bell ringing with

Participants include home renovation TV duo Ben and Erin Napier from Laurel, Mississippi;  entertainers and longtime supporters of The Salvation Army Carlos and Alexa PenaVega from Franklin, Tennessee; NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter from Boca Raton, Florida; chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri from Santa Rosa, California; retired NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Michael Redd from New Albany, Ohio; WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Whalen from Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Miss Volunteer America Berkley Bryant from Anderson, South Carolina. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are set to ring the bell at The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettles, and they created a Red Kettle dance to capture the spirit of the holiday season and inspire others to do the same.

Demonstrating the power of collective giving, these influential groups will bring awareness to the fact that by volunteering to ring the bell at a Red Kettle, a little bit of generosity goes a long way. On average, volunteer bell ringers raise $80-$100 in donations over the course of one two-hour shift, which can provide nearly 200 meals to those in need.

“Giving back is so important to our family, and we are excited to have the opportunity to encourage families nationwide to do the same. We choose to partner with The Salvation Army because of their great work across the country,” said Erin and Ben Napier, TV home renovation duo. “From supporting our neighbors in need year-round to helping families rebuild their lives after disasters strike to providing emotional and spiritual care — they are always present.” 

“It’s been incredibly inspiring to be part of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board for the past few years, so I’m excited and grateful for the chance to ring a bell at one of my local Red Kettles this season,” said Michael Redd, retired NBA star and Olympic gold medalist. “There really is so much great work going on around the country, and every donation helps bring joy and hope to the families who need it most. Every one of us really can make a difference just by signing up for something as simple as ringing the bell in our own community.”

The funds raised through the Red Kettle Campaign directly support The Salvation Army’s vital services, including providing meals, shelter, and holiday assistance to millions of families in need. Last holiday season, the Red Kettles raised an average of $2.7 million daily. Five fewer giving days this year could mean a $13.5 million loss, meaning the need for families and groups to get out and ring the bell in their neighborhoods is even greater.  

“The Red Kettle Campaign is about more than just raising funds,” said Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army. “It is about bringing people together, inspiring acts of service, and making a tangible impact in the lives of needy families. With fewer days to raise money this year, every hour of bell ringing is crucial.”