Frankfort, KY — The Salvation Army will officially launch its 2026 Christmas season across the Commonwealth with the Kentucky Red Kettle & Angel Tree Kickoff on Friday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m. at the Kentucky Capitol Education Center, 706 Capital Avenue in Frankfort.
The event is free and open to the public and media.
Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear will join Salvation Army leaders, local elected officials, community partners, volunteers and supporters for the annual celebration. The program will feature remarks from state and local leaders, Christmas music, the signing of a gubernatorial proclamation, the ceremonial first donation into the Red Kettle and a celebratory bell ringing to officially launch the campaign.
The Red Kettle and Angel Tree programs are two of The Salvation Army’s most recognizable Christmas traditions, but their impact extends far beyond the holiday season. Funds raised through Red Kettles help support local Salvation Army programs that provide food, shelter, housing assistance and other essential services to people facing hardship throughout the year. Through Angel Tree, donors provide Christmas gifts for children and families who might otherwise go without.
In 2025, The Salvation Army’s work across Kentucky included:
- 149,618 nights of shelter
- 454,953 meals served
- 66,570 food boxes distributed
- 103,147 Angel Tree gifts under the tree
- 23,999 instances of rent or utility assistance
- 646 individuals or families placed in permanent housing
“Every time someone drops a gift into a Red Kettle, volunteers for a shift or chooses an Angel from a tree, they are demonstrating what it means to Give with Joy,” said Major Algerome Newsome, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Kentucky-Tennessee Division. “That generosity helps bring Christmas joy to children and families, but it also strengthens the year-round work of The Salvation Army in communities across Kentucky. We are grateful to Governor and First Lady Beshear, our local elected leaders, corporate and community partners, volunteers and donors who stand alongside us in serving our neighbors.”
The Salvation Army also extends its appreciation to the government officials, corporate partners, retailers, businesses, Advisory Board members and community organizations whose support provides locations for Red Kettles and Angel Trees, mobilizes volunteers and helps connect resources with people in need.
Those unable to attend the kickoff can still participate in the 2026 Christmas campaign in several ways:
- Donate online through the Virtual Red Kettle.
- Volunteer to ring a bell by visiting SalvationArmyVolunteer.org.
- Purchase a Christmas gift for an Angel through The Salvation Army’s Walmart Angel Tree Registry.
The public is invited to attend the Kentucky Red Kettle & Angel Tree Kickoff and help The Salvation Army begin another Christmas season of generosity, service and hope across the Commonwealth.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: 2026 Kentucky Red Kettle & Angel Tree Kickoff
WHEN: Friday, November 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Kentucky Capitol Education Center, 706 Capital Avenue, Frankfort, KY
WHO: Governor Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear, Salvation Army leadership, local elected officials, community leaders and supporters
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public and media
