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Salvation Army

“Christmas Nights of Lights” Returns November 8-December 31, 2024

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Christmas Nights of Lights 2024
Christmas Nights of Lights 2024, Photos: Brian Groce

Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana State Fairgrounds is thrilled to announce the return of Christmas Nights of Lights, the largest drive-thru light show in Indianapolis. Running from November 8, 2024, through December 31, 2024, this enchanting event promises to dazzle visitors with over a million lights synchronized to holiday music.

“We are excited to bring Christmas Nights of Lights back to the Indiana State Fairgrounds,” said LeRoy Lewis III, Director of Community and Media Engagement. “This event has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families, and we look forward to creating more magical memories this season.”

Christmas Nights of Lights is not only about spreading holiday cheer but also supporting charitable causes. We are honored to collaborate with several incredible organizations, including the Mozel Sanders Foundation, Shepherd Community Center, Riley’s Children Hospital, WRTV Toy Drive, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for Nov. 8 through the Nov. 22 will be donated to these deserving charities, helping make a positive impact in our community during this special time of year.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary holiday event. Load up your vehicle and join us for a night of festive fun and holiday magic.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.ChristmasNightsofLights.com.

Event Highlights:

  • New Cosmic Wall of Lights: A stunning 180-foot-long, two-story-tall display featuring colorful images.
  • Life-sized Nativity and Candyland: Classic holiday scenes that bring the magic of Christmas to life.
  • Giant American Flag: A patriotic display that adds to the festive atmosphere.

Ticket Information:

  • Pricing: $35 per car (up to 8 passengers), $55 for 9-15 passengers, $80 for 16+ passengers. All passengers must ride together in a single vehicle.
  • Reservations: Online reservations are mandatory to ensure a smooth experience with minimal wait times. Tickets are sold in two-hour time slots, and exchanges can be made up to five days prior to the original ticket date.

Safety Measures:

  • Attendees must remain in their vehicles and turn off headlights upon entering the show.
  • Portable toilets are available at the entrance and exit.
  • Pets are welcome as long as they remain inside the vehicle.

Location:

Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1698 E 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205. Please use the entrance at Gate 12 on 42nd Street.

Hours:

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, with extended hours on weekends.

SOURCE: Indiana State Fairgrounds

Salvation Army Shows Appreciation to Supporters on National Donut Day Friday

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The Salvation Army in Indianapolis wants to show its appreciation to the many generous donors, partners and volunteers who help the organization do the most good in our community every day. To show this appreciation, The Salvation Army is offering a free donut this Friday for National Donut Day. The public is welcome to visit The Salvation Army Canteen on Monument Circle, starting at 6 a.m., to get a donut and a cup of coffee until supplies run out.

The donuts will be provided by the Indianapolis locations of Square Donuts. “The Salvation Army created National Donut Day,” said Mike O’Leary of Square Donuts. “Being in the donut business, Square Donuts wants to be involved as a participant in such an important cause and part of national history.”

Once again, The Salvation Army will partner with Tony Katz and WIBC for the second annual Donut Day Indy! Bakeries from around central Indiana will be competing to be this year’s best donut. Morning host Tony Katz will be broadcasting LIVE on the Circle starting at 6am. You can follow all of the excitement by tuning into 93.1 FM, WIBC or by following #DonutDayIndy.

The first National Donut Day was created by The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to help raise needed funds during the Great Depression. It also commemorates the work of the “donut lassies” who helped make the donut what it is today by feeding the tasty confection to American soldiers during World War I. The donuts became synonymous with The Salvation Army, as well as the American soldiers who were returning home with the nickname “doughboys.”

Since that time, The Salvation Army has continued its service to our military men and women by hosting a camp for the children of our Indiana National Guard soldiers, sending care packages to nearly 100,000 troops serving overseas, ministering to our veterans in the VA hospital and much more.

To find out more about National Donut Day and what The Salvation Army is doing in our community, visit http://salvationarmyindiana.org/ or http://donutdayusa.com/. #nationaldonutday

2015 Red Kettle Cook Off Photos

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The 4th annual Red Kettle Cook Off was a tasty success! Naptown Buzz was there to judge all FOURTEEN burgers, and boy, were there some good ones this year!

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Winners received the official Red Kettle Cook Off Spatula!

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I need a gavel & a wig!

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Signage!

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Tim Doty, Lindsay Riley & Katie Solove from CBS4Indy present their “CBS4 Asian Burger”.

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The CBS4 Asian Burger.

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Lindsay Bledsoe presents “The Burger You Need NOW”.

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The Burger You Need NOW.

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Lauren Lowrey presents the “Biscuits & Gravy Burger”.

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Biscuits & Gravy Burger.

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Jennie Runevitch presents the “The Perfect Pizza Burger”.

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The Perfect Pizza Burger.

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Fanchon Stinger & Dan Spehler present the “Fox59 Blue Cheese Burger”.

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Fox59 Blue Cheese Burger.

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Paul Mendenhall presents the “The Hot & Spicy Cheeseburger”.

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The Hot & Spicy Cheeseburger.

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Ray Steele presents the “Bacon Cheeseburger with Bacon Marm”.

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Bacon Cheeseburger with Bacon Marm.

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Ms EKlass presents the “The Beat Bacon Cheddar Burger”.

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The Beat Bacon Cheddar Burger.

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Deb Honeycutt presents the “The PB & Pig Burger”.

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Mmmm….Bacon & Egg!

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The PB & Pig Burger.

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Greg Browning presents the “The Swiss Blue Burger”.

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The Swiss Blue Burger.

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Dave O’Brien presents the “Sweet Heat Island Burger”, which he says is Kenny Chesney approved. I don’t doubt that.

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Sweet Heat Island Burger.

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Lindsay Crane & Joel Reichenbach present the “Down on the Farm Burger”.

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Down on the Farm Burger.

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Bryan Lord presents the “Every Day I’m Wafflin’ Burger”.

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The Every Day I’m Wafflin’ Burger. Yes, it is covered with tots & mac ‘n’ cheese, served on waffles.

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13 of the 14 burgers lined up, waiting to see which I will finish off.

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Big Joe Staysniak’s “Big Joe / St. Elmo’s Shrimp Cocktail Burger”. MUCH improved over the 2014 version! If you need to clear your sinuses, this will do the trick.

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IndyCar driver, and 2013 Indy 500 winner, Tony Kanaan showed up and tried the “Every Day I’m Wafflin’ Burger”.

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While I’m around IndyCar drivers frequently in May, it’s usually all business. So it was a nice break from the norm to actually be able to snap a pic of Tony Kanaan & I together.

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles showed up to the Red Kettle Cook Off as well.

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Choo choo!!! The burger train is here!

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Forget Stroller Parking, Indy lets you park ANY “Human Powered Vehicle”!

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Major Bob Webster announces the winners.

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rtv6’s “The Burger You Need NOW” wins the best tasting category.

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Then rtv6 follows it up with the most burgers sold, and money raised.

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Radio Now’s “Every Day I’m Wafflin’ Burger” wins the radio category.

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Photos by Brian Groce.

2015 Red Kettle Cook-Off May 6th

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After a winter like we’ve had, a cookout sounds pretty good right about now. That’s why The Salvation Army is throwing a big one! On May 6 we’re bringing in the heavy hitters for the annual Red Kettle Cook-Off in downtown Indy on Georgia Street.

This no-holds-barred competition among our favorite Central Indiana television and radio personalities raises funds for local Salvation Army programs and services. Competitors grill up their signature burgers, competing to raise the most money with their tasty dishes. It’s a fun event for adults and kids alike, so join us on May 6th and help The Salvation Army do the most good in Central Indiana!

RED KETTLE COOK-OFF

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis

Burger, side and drink for only $10.00

All proceeds benefit the local programs and services of The Salvation Army.

STATION

CELEBRITY CHEFS

BURGER NAME

DESCRIPTION
cbs4-logo-no-bkgrd
Tim Doty, Katie Solove & Lindsay Riley
“CBS4 Asian Burger”
Burger topped with crunchy Asian slaw & loaded with flavors of hoisin, ginger & Sirracha for a kick
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Rafael Sanchez, Candice Aviles, Beth Vaughn, Lauren Casey & Ashley Brown
“The Burger You Need NOW”
Head south of the border with toppings like fresh avocado, queso & black bean salsa
WISH-TV_8_logo
Lauren Lowrey & Teresa Mackin
“Biscuits & Gravy Burger”
Sausage gravy & bacon top this breakfast-inspired burger served on a biscuit instead of a bun
WTHR_13_logo_2014
Jennie Runevitch, Kelly Greene, Anne Marie Tiernon, Sean Ash & Matt McCutcheon
“The Perfect Pizza Burger”
Everything you love about pizza: pizza sauce, mozzerella, mushrooms, pepperoni and Italian seasonings
fox59
Fanchon Stinger & Dan Spehler
“Fox59 Blue Cheese Burger”
Over-the-top burger features blue cheese crumbles, tangy whisky glaze & a mountain of crispy onions
WTTS--no-background
Paul Mendenhall
“The Hot & Spicy Cheeseburger”
WTTS is turning up the heat with this pepper jack & jalapeño-topped burger
wibc-no-backgroundB 105.7 logo_batt
Ray Steele, Terri Stacy, Eric Garnes & Tony Katz
“Bacon Cheeseburger with Bacon Marm”
Pile on the flavor with strips of bacon, fresh toppings & savory bacon marmalade
93.9 The Beat (small)
Ms EKlass
“The Beat Bacon Cheddar Burger”
Putting a new spin on a classic burger recipe featuring bacon & lots of cheese
WFMS-no-background
Deb Honeycutt
“The PB & Pig Burger”
Smoked bacon, caramelized onions and a little peanut butter to tempt your taste buds
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Dave O’Brien & Casey Vallier
“Sweet Heat Island Burger” (inspired by Kenny Chesney)
Heat meets sweet in a jerk-spiced burger topped with pineapple slaw
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Kyle Smelser, Rachel Bogel & Bryan Lord
“Every Day I’m Wafflin’ Burger”
Waffle burger overflowing with bacon, tots & mac ‘n’ cheese
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Lindsay Crane & Joel Reichenbach
“Down on the Farm Burger”
A taste of the country featuring a fried egg, ham, maple syrup & more
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Greg Browning
“The Swiss Blue Burger”
Cheesy goodness overflows with this burger that’s bursting with flavor
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Big Joe Staysniak
“Big Joe / St. Elmo’s Shrimp Cocktail Burger”
A surf-n-turf burger with shrimp & St. Elmo’s famous kickin’ cocktail sauce

2014 Salvation Army Red Kettle Cook-Off Burger List

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The 2014 Salvation Army Red Kettle Cook-Off is being held on Wednesday, May 7th, from 11am to 2pm on Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis.

FOURTEEN local media stations will be competing in the cook-off, with one celebrity chef awarded the coveted Silver Spatula for “Best Burger.”

Lunch is only $10 and includes a burger, sides and drink. All proceeds benefit the local programs and services of The Salvation Army.

It’s a fun event for adults and kids alike so get outside, enjoy a great burger, and help The Salvation Army do the most good in Central Indiana!

The Celebrity Burger list is as follows:

Burger-Menu-(in-order)-full

Salvation Army Night July 26 At Victory Field

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CATCH A GREAT GAME FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

Who: Indianapolis Indians
What: Salvation Army Night
When: 7:05 pm Thursday, July 26
Where: Victory Field located at the corner of West and Maryland Streets in downtown Indianapolis

Did you know the poverty rate in Indiana is at a 30 year high? The numbers is a staggering 16.3 percent. For children under the age of 18, the number is 26.3 percent. The money raised during The Salvation Army’s Christmas in July events provides these families and individuals with shelter, food and other services that help get them back on their feet.

So join The Salvation Army as we throw out the first pitch and kick off a night that is sure to be filled with good company, fun, and of course, great baseball. Half of all ticket sales made by The Salvation Army will go towards programs benefiting needy families and individuals in the community.

Order Tickets

Use code word “ARMY” when purchasing tickets.

Casual For A Cause 2012

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Dave Smiley

Think about this:
Indiana’s poverty rate is 16.3 percent according to the 2010 census. For children, it’s 26.3 percent. Last year, the Salvation Army was able provide homes for 27 families and 10 individuals through its low-income housing program at the Barton Center Apartments in Indianapolis.

Want to know how your business and employees can help improve the lives of needy families in Indianapolis?
It’s simple, quick and easy. Just register your business to participate in The Salvation Army’s Christmas in July. All contributions from Christmas in July go to local Salvation Army programs and services that provide help and hope to families and individuals affected by crisis, poverty, hunger, isolation, and troubled relationships.

Participate in a program listed below or create your own!

• Casual For A Cause
Whether it’s dressing up or dressing down, a change in the dress code can be fun. Why stop there! Have a theme day like western, Hawaiian or even 80’s prom. Employees set a donation amount and make a contribution to participate.

• Donate A Dollar
Businesses ask customers if they would like to donate a dollar or more to help the community. If a donation is made, the customer gets to write his or her name on a paper kettle that can be displayed.

• Create a unique event of your own
The Salvation Army encourages businesses to think of creative ways and events to raise money on their own. Ideas include ice cream socials, car washes and bake sales.

• Or click here to make a donation
For more information or to register your business, visit http://salvationarmyindiana.org/2012/christmas-in-july/.

Indiana Tornado Relief – Two Weeks Later

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Two weeks after a deadly storm system ripped through Southern Indiana, The Salvation Army continues its relief efforts to serve survivors in Henryville, Marysville, New Pekin, and Ripley County. In Marysville, the Army’s feeding services were still going strong as they prepared meals for volunteer groups who were helping survivors clean up their property so they can begin the rebuilding process. Volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, the Rotary Club, and other groups took a break from their hard work at The Salvation Army’s Relief Center to eat and get hydrated.

The Rotary group, made up of members from across Central Indiana, worked with The Salvation Army to help one resident remove the broken down trees and other debris from around his property. The group was able to fund a new disaster relief trailor this year and they put into service for the first time in Henryville. Mike Miller, Rotary’s Disaster Service Coordinator, reached out to The Salvation Army several weeks ago to form a partnership and support the Army in any future disasters. Mike and several others were trained to be Salvation Army EDS volunteers. Little did they know their services would be put to use so soon.

Emergency Financial Assistance was continued in Henryville, Borden, and Ripley County. Over $100,000 in assistance has been given to families who have lost everything.

Although the meal service is still going strong in Marysville, it is starting to slow down at the other sites. All together, more than 11,500 meal have been served to survivors and responders in Southern Indiana.

Businesses and foundations also continued their support of The Salvation Army’s efforts. Pfizer Foundation gave the Army a $10,000 grant to support relief in Southern Indiana. The Walmart store in Shelbyville Indiana collected donations from its customers and its employees and presented a check for $4,650. To date, more than $600,000 has been raised to support The Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief efforts.

The Salvation Army was serving Southern Indiana before the tornadoes hit, and it will continue to serve these communities for as long as it takes to help them get back on their feet.

Courtesy of SalvationArmyIndiana.org

Hoosiers Help Hoosiers with Tornado Relief Efforts

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With relief efforts in Southern Indiana entering their fifth day, The Salvation Army and its media partners have come together to support the survivors of last Fridays deadly tornadoes.

Today, WIBC and RTV6 are running a drive-thru donation site on Monument Circle.  As of 1PM, more than $27,000 has been raised in front of the Emmis Building.

Yesterday, Fox59 hosted “Day of Dedication” and raised over $236,000. On Sunday, WISH-TV8 collected over $100,000 for The Salvation Army’s work in Southern Indiana. 100% of money raised during a disaster goes to the relief work with the survivors.

Relief Efforts:  Salvation Army Relief efforts continued today in New Pekin, Henryville, and Marysville.  Three mobile kitchens continue to serve over 900 meals a day.  Feeding operations will continue for at least the next several weeks.  The next phase of The Salvation Army’s response, which includes, clean-up and emergency financial assistance for families, could begin within the week.  The Salvation is also providing social service assistance to storm survivors in Ripley County.

The quickest and easiest way to support the efforts of The Salvation Army as they serve survivors is to make a monetary donation. You can make a donation online at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/indiana/stormrelief, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or make a $10.00 donation by texting* “HOOSIER” to 80888. (To confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes”).

Donors can also mail a check to:  The Salvation Army Indiana Division, 3100 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis IN, 46208.

Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently-used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated now will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.

Courtesy of SalvationArmyIndiana.org

The Salvation Army Participates in “Lend A Helping Glove” Contest

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Text KETTLE to 86132

Back in February when The Salvation Army team met with the Indianapolis Indians, this “glove thing” we talked about was months away…  Two sponsors, lots of paint, tons of pictures, and several meetings later, we finally have a finished project:  A five foot tall glove that could help The Salvation Army win $10,000.

Thanks to Reach Magazine and TKO Graphix, The Salvation Army is able to participate in the Indianapolis Indians’ “Lend a Helping Glove” contest.  As part of the Indianapolis Indians’ celebration of 125 years of professional baseball in Indianapolis, the Indians have designed a contest to raise awareness for worthy causes in our community.  Five charities were picked to participate, and The Salvation Army is so thankful to be one of them!

Custom painted fiberglass baseball gloves will be displayed in the Indy area. Each glove is painted by a different charity—ours is designed by TKO Graphix.  The Indians need your help in deciding which glove has the best paint job.  Vote via text message or online, and they’ll give $10,000 to the winning the charity.  Voting started June 3rd at 5:30 PM EDT and ends August 19th at 11:59 PM EDT.

How do I vote?
You can purchase votes. Votes are $5 for 5, $10 for 10, $15 for 20, $20 for 30 and $25 for 40.  You can vote as frequently as you’d like.  All proceeds benefit the charity for which you vote.  You must be registered to vote.

Can I still play if the contest has already started?
Yes. As long as it is still within the voting period.

How else can I vote for my favorite charity?
You can also vote by texting on your mobile phone.  There is no charge to vote by text unless your carrier charges.  No donation is required by text.  To vote for The Salvation Army via text message, send KETTLE to 86132.  Text services are provided by Qtego.

Salvation Army – Text Kettle to 86132

How is the winner decided?
The winner is decided by a combination of three votes – online, text, and a celebrity panel.  The winner will be announced on September 2, 2011.

Thanks for your help!  Be sure to follow us on facebook to find the gloves next location:  facebook.com/salvationarmyindiana.

~Mel