A symbolic, traveling bell used by The Salvation Army of Champaign County during the holiday season is making the trip to Thursday’s nationally televised Chiefs-Cowboys game in Arlington, Texas (3:30 p.m., CBS).
Capts. Melissa and Kenyon Sivels will take part in the Cowboys’ annual Red Kettle Kickoff at halftime, a 30-year tradition that shines a spotlight on Salvation Army fundraising. Melissa’s parents, Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole, head Salvation Army’s national efforts and will have a role in the pregame coin toss.
“We’re excited because it’s a unique opportunity to go and represent the Salvation Army on a larger scale,” Melissa said.
Bell-ringing at 21 locations in Champaign County has started and will continue through Christmas Eve (visit registertoring.com to volunteer). For decades the annual campaign’s trademark has been a tiny golden bell that Melissa and Kenyon will take to AT&T Stadium “as a way to connect back to Champaign and our bell-ringing campaign,” Melissa said.
The hope is to take pictures of the bell with some of the Red Kettle Kickoff bigwigs, from Post Malone to Jerry Jones to Cowboys cheerleaders.
“It’s a huge honor and privilege to have that connection with the Cowboys,” Melissa said. “It helps open eyes of people who otherwise might not know about or support the Salvation Army.”