Nov. 9, 2016 – West Bend, WI – The Salvation Army in Washington County is seeking funds to help people who continue to struggle across our communities.
In response to needs of neighbors who face poverty, unemployment, and rising expenses, The Salvation Army in Washington County has launched its annual campaign, called “Share Your Blessings, Be Blessed.” Its goal is to serve as a reminder of the joy that comes from helping those in need.
Locally, The Salvation Army in Washington County hopes to raise $100,000 to help sustain the vital programs and services that help people in need in their daily struggle for survival.
The Salvation Army’s time-honored Christmas Campaign will include traditional fundraising methods, such as direct mail, as well as the highly visible Red Kettles — a holiday tradition that has served as a symbol of goodwill for more than 100 years.
“Many families are still finding it very hard to stay afloat, and we’ve seen it firsthand in the numbers of people coming to us for help,” said Angela Swinehart, Field Representative.
“It’s especially hard during the holiday season, when so many of our neighbors don’t know how they’ll have the means to provide for their families. That’s why The Salvation Army looks to our community for their generosity: so we can show that same compassion and kindness to the less fortunate.”
This holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest yet. Salvation Army officials stress that any contribution will help — and donations of time are accepted as gratefully as donations of money.
“Reaching out to those in need by volunteering to ring bells or serve warm meals is a wonderful way to connect with the community, to give back, to share blessings, and to be blessed in return,” said Swinehart. To volunteer this Christmas season, contact Amy at 262-357-4039 or [email protected].
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. More than 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in more than 5,000 communities nationwide.
About the Red Kettle Campaign:
From its humble beginnings as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army Captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. Thousands of Salvation Army bell-ringers fan out across the country to ring bells and solicit donations to the iconic Red Kettles from holiday shoppers.