The Jacksonville Salvation Army saw a
good response from the Red Kettle Campaign in 2019, but the total
Christmas Campaign still has a way to go, both in time, and
donations.
Salvation Army Major Charles Pinkston
says he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for the Red Kettle
Campaign.
“Our goal was $80,000.00 and we
actually brought in $74,537.27 so we are only about $5,500.00 short
of our goal for the Red Kettle Campaign which, I think was amazing
considering we were only at 50% the week prior.”
Pinkston said the Red Kettle Campaign
nearly reaching it’s goal was also a good surprise considering the
closing of ShopKo earlier in the year that left the local Salvation
Army with the loss of a major kettle stop that contributed heavily in
years past.
Pinkston says that the overall
Christmas Campaign goal still has a month of giving left and he hopes
that the community will continue to support them during the White
Letter Campaign.
“Our White Mail Campaign will
still be coming in through January 31st. Anyone who wants
to mail or bring in a donation here to the building, or if they get
one of the envelopes in the mail asking for a donation, they can send
that in as well and it all counts toward our overall Christmas Goal.
As far as our white mail and our
mail appeal, we have be averaging about $20,000.00 in white mail and
currently we are at just under $13,000.00. On the mail appeal we
normally receive about $20,000.00 and we are right now only at
$14,000.00, so we are about $30,000.00 away from that total goal, but
we thankfully still have the whole month of January to hopefully
raise that.”
Major Pinkston says that the success of
the Christmas Campaign could not have reached this point without the
help of the volunteer bell ringers as well.
“Just the fact that we have so
many wonderful volunteers in the community, and they are all greatly
appreciated. They all step up and get out there and ring the bells,
and I think for the most part a lot of them have fun doing it and it
is fun to drive by and go in and speak to them and to see the
excitement and the Christmas cheer on their face, it’s really
rewarding. We definitely want to thank the volunteers, individuals,
groups businesses, everyone that participated this season.”
Pinkston also wants to make sure the
public is aware of a large food distribution that will take place
this upcoming Wednesday at the Salvation Army Citadel on Douglas
Avenue.
“This next Wednesday we are back
on a regular commodity distribution schedule, and this next Wednesday
in particular we have a lot of food to get out the door. So for
those who qualify for the community food program, if they are able
to, bring a box, a wagon, a stroller, anything to load up and take
home.”
Pinkston says that to qualify for the
Commodity Distribution, simply go to the Salvation Army Citadel at
331 West Douglas Avenue and show proof of being a Morgan County
resident.
He said that the line up for the event
will start at 12:30 pm next Wednesday the 8th, and at 1:00
pm they will start to draw numbers to determine how everyone will
line up.
Pinkston says there is a lot of food
for distribution including meats, canned goods, breads and even some
sweet options as well.
