LYNN — The Salvation Army kicked off its annual Red Kettle Campaign in Lynn with help from a local rap artist, DayDay2x, on Friday evening.
“I am really excited to have a kickoff this fun. There is too much seriousness these days,” said Lynn Salvation Army Capt. Helen Johnson.
DayDay2x, whose mother, Danyelle Williams, of Peabody, is a member of the Salvation Army Worship Center in Lynn, decided to give back to her community. This is how the idea for a community event that took place on Friday was born.
The rap artist donated hats and gloves to be distributed to neighbors in need. The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster truck was giving out cookies and hot beverages, and volunteers were selling the organization’s official T-shirts with the word “Hope” on them. That is because this year’s theme of the Red Kettle Campaign is “Hope Marches On.”
DayDay2x, 29, who started performing around Boston, New Jersey and Florida two years ago, wrote a song of the same name, which he played at the event. He said he writes based on his feelings and it took him a couple of hours to write the song.
“I used to be in church growing up,” said DayDay2x about his songwriting process. “I definitely took a lot of notes from what I have seen growing up and my personal input in how people view spiritual things.”
This year, Lynn’s Salvation Army will station 17 red kettles around the city, as well as in Swampscott, Saugus and Malden. Johnson said that they are looking for volunteers or individuals interested in short-term employment to ring the bells and collect donations at the kettles. The center also needs volunteers for the food pantry.
The majority of the red kettles will start collecting donations after the Black Friday, Johnson said. Red Kettle Campaign is the major annual fundraising event of the Salvation Army. The donations will support the nonprofit organization’s critical services including its food pantry, utility/rental/emergency assistance, and youth programs.
Donors are also invited to give online at https://salarmy.us/MassRedKettle or text “HOPEMARCHESON” to 41444.
