Major Ken Chapman’s final Donation Rotation to take place on Friday, Dec. 13.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 11, 2024) – Red Kettle season is upon us, and ICON Park is joining hands once again with The Salvation Army to bring awareness to the annual campaign. And after seven years of the Donation Rotation, the organizations are celebrating Major Ken Chapman’s final year leading the event.
On Friday, December 13, Major Chapman, Area Commander for The Salvation Army will ride The Orlando Eye at ICON Park for four hours.
From 4 to 8 p.m., guests can join him for a 20-minute trip around the Orlando Eye to learn more about the purpose of the Red Kettle and how it addresses housing and hunger issues all while providing hope. Each time money goes into a red kettle, be it in person or virtual, The Salvation Army’s reach is expanded, and lives are changed.
At this year’s event, The Salvation Army’s World Largest Red Kettle will appear next to ICON Park’s towering Christmas tree and, of course, Orlando’s brightest beacon, The Orlando Eye.
The Orlando Eye by Merlin Entertainments will be donating a portion of all ticket sales to The Salvation Army.
“By the end of December 13th, I will have spent a total of four days of my life on The Orlando Eye. When asked if I would do it all over again, my answer is always yes,” said Major Chapman. “This has been a fun and purposeful way to engage our community, share the impactful services The Salvation Army provides, and highlight the power of the iconic Red Kettle when we come together. It’s been a fantastic seven-year run, and we’re excited for another round of Donation Rotation.”
“At Merlin Entertainments, we’re passionate about creating magical, meaningful moments, and partnering with The Salvation Army for the Red Kettle campaign allows us to do just that. The Orlando Eye is proud to shine a light on this cause, and we’re thrilled to contribute by donating a portion of ticket sales to support the incredible work of addressing housing and hunger challenges in our community,” said Paul Gould, General Manager of Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Orlando and the Orlando Eye.
Interviews are available with Major Chapman, as well as ICON Park and Salvation Army representatives. To schedule an interview, reach out to Emily O’Toole at [email protected].
The Donation Rotation and Red Kettle event is free and open to the public. Contribute to a Red Kettle near you this holiday season. For more information, visit salvationarmyorlando.org.
For more information about ICON Park, visit https://iconparkorlando.com/.
To view or download images, click here.
About ICON Park
ICON Park is a global leader in location-based entertainment in the most-visited destination in the U.S., attracting millions of guests each year with its unique collection of branded immersive experiences including attractions, restaurants, bars, live entertainment and shops.
ICON Park’s portfolio of 50+ tenants includes globally recognized brands that appeal to both families and adults. The destination encompasses multiple, world-famous entertainment attractions, over a dozen immersive restaurants and bars, nightly live music, and an extensive shopping and outdoor marketplace — all anchored under the brilliant lights of The Orlando Eye by Merlin Entertainments. Just a few of the famous brands that call ICON Park home include Merlin Entertainments’ Madame Tussauds and Sea Life Aquarium, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Darden’s Yard House, Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips, The Sugar Factory, Museum of Illusions, Shake Shack, Tin Roof, Uncle Julio’s and Build-A-Bear Workshop. Open 365 days a year, ICON Park’s continual roster of activities, nightly live music, and special events — plus free parking and no gate admission — make it a popular day and night choice for Orlando’s 74 million visitors and residents.
ICON Park is located at the epicenter of Orlando’s Entertainment District — with entrances on both International Drive and Universal Boulevard – and surrounded by 150+ hotels, world-famous theme parks, the second-largest convention center in the United States, and 1,000+ restaurants, attractions and retail outlets The area is further expanding with $5 billion in growth investments including Universal Orlando’s much-anticipated fourth theme park Epic Universe; $4 billion in new and expanding hotels, attractions, restaurants, convention space, entertainment venues and roadwork enhancements; hundreds of millions of dollars to further expand Orange County’s convention center; and a leg of the $1.75 billion high-speed rail line project, Brightline, which will directly link the I-Drive area to Orlando International Airport and the 50+ million passengers it serves annually.
To learn more about ICON Park, visit https://iconparkorlando.com.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyorlando.org or www.salvationarmyosceola.org. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @salarmyorlando or @salarmyosceola and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/salvationarmyorlando or www.facebook.com/salvationarmyosceola.
About The Orlando Eye
Formerly known as The Wheel at Icon Park in Orlando, Fl., the Orlando Eye is a 400-foot-tall observation attraction located in the heart of the city, offering breathtaking views of Central Florida. The Orlando Eye showcases 360-degree views of the area, including popular theme parks and attractions, downtown Orlando, and Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast, all within the comfort of 30 air-conditioned glass capsules. Each capsule accommodates up to 15 guests to enjoy a serene 20-minute trip above the breathtaking landscape. Acquired by Merlin Entertainments in March 2024, the Orlando Eye is a top attraction — in the country’s tourism capital, and joins Merlin Entertainments’ portfolio of family-friendly attractions and theme parks in The Sunshine State, including SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and nearby, LEGOLAND Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida in Central Florida.
Media Contact
Will Wellons
Wellons Communications
407-339-0879
[email protected]