Salvation Army Exceeded 2015 Goal

The Rochester Salvation Army exceeded its annual Red Kettle/Christmas Campaign goal for a fourth consecutive year. The 2015 campaign saw a total of $1,077,579 entrusted to kettles, mailed, as online gifts or delivered personally to the organization. The stated goal was $1.075 million and represented a fourth million-dollar-plus community effort.

Honorary volunteer chair for the Red Kettle/Christmas Campaign, Lisa Clarke, announced Wednesday that the grand total of the 2015 kettle-only portion was $404,352 which exceeded the benchmark of $400,000 set for collections during the bell ringing period that ended Dec. 24, 2015.

During the 2015 bell ringing campaign almost 6,300 hours were donated by individuals and organizations. An additional 600 to 700 volunteer hours were used for kettle distribution, counting and administration behind the scenes. The Red Kettle/Christmas Campaign is the largest single fundraising activity of the 120-year-old local organization.

The recent campaign was one week shorter than the previous three years and was marked by unseasonably pleasant weather for most of November and December. A total of 35 kettle locations were staffed by volunteers and included new sites at Scheels and the new Hy-Vee grocery store on West Circle Drive NW.

The Rochester Salvation Army uses all funds entrusted to the campaign year-round to support over 30 programs and services from its downtown locations. These services provide hot meals, shelter, respite for caregivers, medical and dental care, and important social services and counseling designed to meet basic human needs. It has fulfilled this community role since 1896.

(information provided by Salvation Army press release)