PRESS RELEASE
Monster Comeback Helps The Salvation Army
Surpass
$8.5 Million Christmas Campaign Goal
Despite five fewer days of bell ringing, kettle donations
up $100,000 over last year
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – January 8, 2009 – A monster eleventh hour comeback helped the Twin Cities Salvation Army raise $9 million for its 2008 Christmas Campaign, surpassing its goal of $8.5 million.
The comeback started Dec. 23, when The Salvation Army raised
$1 million in a single day: Cargill Inc. donated $500,000, while an anonymous donor gave a $250,000 matching gift that was met with more than $300,000 in community donations.
“There is a great desire in our community to reach out to others and to have a positive impact,” said Cargill CEO Greg Page, Christmas Chair of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “The Salvation Army experienced that generous spirit this holiday season. The good these donations will do in helping The Salvation Army support those in need will extend throughout 2009.”
As 2008 came to a close, The Salvation Army was still well over $100,000 short of its $8.5 million goal. But by Jan. 5, Salvation Army staff received thousands of mailed donations postmarked Dec. 31. One such donation was a check for $50,000, and another for $300,000.
“Nobody could believe it,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “These two gracious donors and everyone else who gave to The Salvation Army this Christmas season will never fully understand how thankful we are for their generosity during such difficult economic times.”
Another bright spot during the Campaign: Kettle donations reached more than $2.9 million, a near $100,000 increase over last year.
“This increase is remarkable not only because of the economy, but because we had five fewer days of bell ringing available this year,” Leedom said. “This goes to show that when given a choice between spending for personal gain vs. spending for charity, the Twin Cities community chose to sacrifice their earnings for a cause greater than themselves.”
Although The Salvation Army met and exceeded its Christmas Campaign goal, last year’s campaign raised $300,000 more ($9.3 million).
Christmas Campaign donations represent about a third of the Twin Cities Salvation Army’s yearlong budget of $24 million.
The Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in the Twin Cities and is a safety net for those with no place to turn. We serve 2,100 hot meals every day and house more than 850 people every night. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
