La Crosse Community Helps Reach Red Kettle Campaign Goal
January 9, 2020
Contact:
Alex Riley
The Salvation Army of La Crosse County
[email protected]
La Crosse Community Helps Reach Red Kettle Campaign Goal
LA CROSSE – The Salvation Army wraps up its largest annual fundraising effort on a positive note, all thanks to the giving nature of the community they help serve.
The Red Kettle Campaign, which accounts for approximately one-third of The Salvation Army of La Crosse’s annual budget, comes to a close achieving its $860,000 goal set at the beginning of the campaign. Dollars that are raised during the drive fund everyday programs such as the Emergency Shelter and Meal services, along with other programs such as Feed the Kids and Veteran services, among other programs.
“We are absolutely blessed to be part of this kind and generous community,” said Major Jeff Richardson of The Salvation Army. “From the donors to the volunteers to the community advocates, we could not continue serving those that are ready for change to face their toughest challenges if it were not for our community. Thank you for your support.”
Red Kettle Campaign contributions are comprised of donations made through The Salvation Army offices, donations made through mailings, and donations made to red kettles during bell ringing. Against this year’s odds of having one less week in the bell ringing season and the loss of three kettles sites; this year’s bell ringing efforts raised an amount similar to last year’s totals with more than 2,100 volunteers taking part in the effort.
“We always tell volunteers that ‘just two hours of time can make a difference’,” said Alex Riley, Volunteer Coordinator at The Salvation Army. “Between the organizations willing to donate their time to ring bells this year, we also had plenty of support from therapy dogs, and even a horse and a donkey! It’s incredible. There’s no doubt that our great bell ringers played a role in finishing the way we did.”
Along with volunteer turnout, the Campaign also included successful matching events by Brenengen Auto Group, Inland Packaging, Mayo Clinic Health System, and a collection of organizations during the drive’s Community Match Day including organizations such as Kwik Trip, LHI, Thrivent Financial, Wieser Brothers Construction, Trane, and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
“Our community has answered our call for help,” said Christina Knudsen, Director of Development at The Salvation Army. “Individuals and organizations were reaching out to us wanting to know how they could support the campaign. Businesses supported major programs through sponsorships, people held fundraising drives at work, and children donated their allowances. It all makes an impact. We are truly blessed to call this community home.”
Donations are appreciated year-round for programs and services that provide basic human needs like shelter and meals to those in our community. For more information on The Salvation Army of La Crosse County, visit www.SAlacrosse.org.