Singer Lainey Wilson. Courtesy of The Salvation Army.
Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award winner and reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson will perform live at AT&T Stadium for The Salvation Army‘s Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during the Dallas Cowboys‘ Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Giants, airing on Fox, a press release stated. The Dallas Cowboys’ game has become the most-watched regular season game of the year, drawing 42 million viewers last year.
Wilson’s performance will celebrate the reason for the season, featuring songs from her new album “Whirlwind” and a special surprise guest. Fans should expect to see bell-bottoms, boots and lots of bells this Thanksgiving, the release stated.
The Thanksgiving Day game marks the official start of one of the largest and longest-running annual fundraisers of its kind, the Red Kettle Campaign. A Cowboys tradition for 28 years, the halftime show puts a national spotlight on the needs of millions during the holiday season and all year long, issuing a rallying cry to donate to The Salvation Army. Funds raised in 2023 supported services for more than 27 million people living in America. With the help of the Dallas Cowboys, The Salvation Army has raised more than $3 billion since the Red Kettle Kickoff began.
“Join me at the Red Kettle this Christmas season because we truly can do more good when we come together to serve those in need in our communities,” Wilson stated in the release.
“Performers (such as) Lainey Wilson represent the next generation of role models for so many,” stated Charlotte Jones, chief brand officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys and former national advisory board chairperson for The Salvation Army. “We are so thankful to have her energy and enthusiasm on our national stage this year to highlight the Red Kettle Kickoff and the importance of giving back to those who need it most.”
With five fewer giving days this season, donations to The Salvation Army at one of its iconic Red Kettles or online are needed to meet the increasing needs of families struggling to make ends meet. The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest direct provider of social services, will not stop working to provide Christmas gifts, food, shelter and rent and utility assistance to millions of people struggling this holiday season and beyond — no matter the cost.
“The Dallas Cowboys and the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation have been devoted partners of The Salvation Army for nearly 30 years in our shared mission to take care of the most vulnerable in our communities,” stated Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army in the United States. “And a performance by such a celebrated artist as Lainey Wilson is the most wonderful way to kick off this important season of giving.”
The following options are available for those wishing to support their neighbors in need:
- Donate with cash, coins and checks or digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any Red Kettle across the country.
- Provide Christmas gifts to children of local families in need through The Salvation Army Angel Tree. One can also contact his or her local Salvation Army about volunteering to distribute donated Angel Tree gifts.
- Contact local Salvation Army to volunteer at a Red Kettle or visit RegisterToRing.com.
- Ask Amazon‘s Alexa to donate by saying, “Alexa, donate to The Salvation Army,” and then specifying the amount.
- Sign up for a sustaining gift of $25 a month at Give.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
- Donate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Every donation stays in the community to provide help and hope for those in need. To learn more, give help, or get help, please visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
Elliott Hill, a 1986 graduate of Texas Christian University, became president and CEO of footwear and apparel giant Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) this week, both Nike and TCU announced. He also is a member of TCU’s board of trustees.
NorthPark Center in Dallas welcomes families to CenterPark Garden to experience the inagural Pumpkin Patch, a fall fairytale destination filled with 15,000-plus pumpkins, autumn plantings, a harvest house, a wishing well, a gnome village and more.
Benefiting Community Partners of Dallas and designed by Harold Leidner Landscape Architects, the patch is designed for North Texas families looking for memorable experiences this fall. Visitors will have photo opportunities, storytimes with Bookmarks, a Dallas Public Library, and a magical scavenger hunt that will spark imagination and creativity in little minds.
“Providing seasonal, interactive experiences for families has always been important to us at NorthPark, and the Pumpkin Patch is a new way to give back to our community,” stated Nancy A. Nasher, president of NorthPark Management Co., in a press release.
CPD helps abused and neglected children. Throughout the event, all change collected by the wishing well in the Pumpkin Patch and the Neiman Marcus Fountain and Dillard’s Fountain inside NorthPark will be donated to CPD.
Storytime in the Pumpkin Patch
Saturdays – Oct. 19 and 26 and Nov. 2 at 11 a.m.
Bookmarks, a Dallas Public Library, will present a collection of autumn or Halloween-themed stories and songs for children 6 and younger. Storytime and book giveaways are sponsored by Atmos Energy.
Fall Family Portraits with James French Photography
Sat., Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A $40 purchase includes two 5×5 prints that will be mailed. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Community Partners of Dallas. Families will be accommodated on a first- come, first-served basis.
Creepy Critters in the Pumpkin Patch
Sat., Oct. 19, at 1 p.m.
Snakes, lizards, bugs and amphibians will be in the patch, thanks to Creepy Critters.
Park Place Dealerships announced its BOO Yard Sign Challenge, a way for North Texas families to celebrate Halloween while supporting pediatric patients at Children’s Health. The community-driven initiative, hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, encourages the community to “BOO” their friends and neighbors by secretly leaving BOO signs in their yards and Halloween treats at their doorsteps while raising funds for Children’s Health patients.
The challenge runs through Oct. 31. Participants can purchase a BOO yard sign for $25 at childrens.com/boo. All proceeds will go directly to Children’s Health to support its mission to make life better for children, a press release stated Participation includes the following activities:
· Purchasing a BOO Yard Sign – Signs are available for purchase online at childrens.com/boo for $25 each.
· Pick Up Your Sign – Choose the closest neighborhood pickup location in Dallas or Plano at Park Place Porsche, Park Place Motorcars Dallas or Park Place Lexus Plano, during checkout by searching your home, work, or school zip code. Signs are available now for pickup.
· BOO Your Neighbors – Place the BOO yard sign in your neighbor’s yard and leave Halloween goodies at their doorsteps without them seeing you! Each sign comes with instructions on how recipients can join the challenge and keep the spooky spirit alive throughout the neighborhood.
“Our goal is to spread joy throughout the community by placing a BOO sign on every lawn in North Texas while supporting patients at Children’s Health this Halloween,” stated Kara Connor, experiential marketing manager of Park Place.
For more information or to purchase a sign, visit childrens.com/boo.
Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth ends its 48th season with “Metamorphosis,” based on the classic story by Franz Kafka. Performances are at 8:15 p.m. Fridays through Sundays now through Nov. 3 at its outdoor amphitheater on Silver Creek Road. Tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website. This play contains adult subject matter and is unsuitable for children.
Directed by Christina Cranshaw with music composed and performed by Clint Niosi, the play brings in the spooky spirit of the season. It’s just an ordinary day until it isn’t. Gregor isn’t his normal self, he’s missed his train and, consequently, is now late. But that isn’t his biggest problem.
The cast includes Nadia DeWolf, Paul Heyduck, Vermont Horner, Aja Jones, Francis Kahn, Doak Rapp, Joseph Tully and Kyle Van Swol. Costume design is by Susan Austin and Nikki DeShea Smith is the lighting designer. Set design is by Jeffrey Stanfield and Madison Whitney is the prop designer.
Adult tickets are $25 on Fridays and Saturdays and $20 on Sundays, with reduced prices for seniors, military, teachers, first responders and students. Tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website or by calling 817-246-9775. The theatre box office will open at 7:15 p.m. on performance nights.
Theatergoers are welcome to arrive early and stay after the performance to enjoy concessions and live music beginning at 7:15 p.m. in the BackYard. The full music schedule is available here. No outside food or beverages.
Irving-based U.S. Oral Surgery Management expanded its network, adding three new partner practices. They are Encinitas Oral Surgery in Encinitas, California, Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and Pickett Oral Surgery in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“We’ve always been extremely selective about the surgeons we partner with, and these three practices meet all of the criteria for a strong partnership,” stated USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall.
USOSM is a management services organization spanning 28 states.