A Season of Giving: Highlights from the Red Kettle Season Across Eastern PA & DE
The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division brought joy and support to thousands across our communities during the 2024 holiday season. Through the tireless efforts of our Corps, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and supportive partners, we created life-long holiday memories for those we serve.
Here’s a look back at the highlights from the season of giving.
Thanksgiving: A Warm Start to the Holiday Season
Thanksgiving marks a time of gratitude and togetherness, but it can also be a time of need for many in our communities. We work tirelessly to ensure that individuals and families have access to the resources they need to begin the holiday season with hope.
Across the Division, local Corps provided Thanksgiving meals, from turkeys to meal boxes and canned goods, to those in need, helping to create a sense of comfort and joy for everyone served.
Take a look at a few key moments from the season.
Divisional ACME Markets Partnership
The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, along with the New Jersey and Greater New York Divisions, received $314,965 from ACME Markets to help purchase and distribute 3,500 Thanksgiving meals to low-income families at 48 locations. The meals included a full turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, enough to feed a family of four to six people.
The Salvation Army Allentown Corps
The Allentown Corps held a turkey distribution, giving away a total of 275 turkeys, food bags, and produce to after-school families and Corps members. Donations were provided by CAI, Hovertech International, Jersey Mike's Subs, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lithko Contracting, Primo Brands Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, and Uline.
The Salvation Army Coatesville Corps
The Coatesville Corps served over 400 community members at its Thanksgiving dinner event. Key community partners supported the event, including volunteers from Chester County Food Bank and food donated by the Swarthmore restaurant Village Vine. Members of the City of Coatesville Police Department also attended.
The Salvation Army Reading Corps
The Reading Corps Red Kettle Kickoff doubled as a Thanksgiving meal distribution. After local leadership provided remarks to signify the beginning of The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign in Reading, the Corps distributed 982 turkeys and meal boxes to local families for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Red Kettle Kickoff: Celebrating the Iconic Tradition
The Red Kettle Kickoff is an annual celebration that brings communities together to launch our iconic campaign and highlight the importance of giving back. These events, unique to each Corps, are a joyful way to mark the season and inspire support for The Salvation Army’s mission to serve those in need.
Here are a few examples.
The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia
The Greater Philadelphia Red Kettle Kickoff was celebrated at the opening of Love Park’s Christmas Village. It included the first donation of the season, a $25,000 check from Herr’s, performances from The Salvation Army’s brass band and the Eagles drumline, and a VIP reception.
The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region
The Harrisburg Capital City Region welcomed over 200 attendees at its annual Be The Light celebration, which featured community tree lighting, Christmas tree voting, giveaways, a book signing, delicious food, caroling, live music, and an awards ceremony recognizing core community contributors.
The Salvation Army Scranton Corps
The Scranton Corps hosted its first Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast featuring guest speakers from WBRE-TV 28 and WYOU-TV 22 and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, a Minor League Baseball team.
Volunteers and Donors: The Heart of the Season
No Salvation Army holiday season would be a success without the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and donors who stood as bell ringers, volunteered at toy and food distributions, and sponsored Angel Tree recipients to fulfill their holiday wish lists. These individuals and organizations gave their time, resources, and compassion to ensure that everyone in our communities could experience the joy of the season.
Here are just a handful of those Salvation Army volunteers and donors.
The Salvation Army Berwick Corps
The Reliance Fire Company served as volunteer bell ringers for the Berwick Corps on Kettle Match Day.
The Salvation Army Boyertown Corps
Volunteer bell ringers for the Boyertown Corps.
The Salvation Army Lebanon Corps
Angel tree shopper for the Lebanon Corps Angel Tree program, selecting Christmas gifts for children.
The Salvation Army Scranton Corps
Members of Kiwanis Club of Scranton, a global organization of volunteers, stood as volunteer bell ringers for the Scranton Corps.
The Salvation Army Wilkes-Barre Corps
SHEETZ For Kidz, a yearly partnership with the Wilkes-Barre Corps where SHEETZ sponsors children in the community to provide Christmas gifts, sponsored almost 100 children in Luzerne County.
The Salvation Army Williamsport Corps
PPL Electric Utilities volunteers helped the Williamsport Corps pack orders and load up food and toys for over 400 local community members.
The Salvation Army Lancaster Corps and York Corps
The Salvation Army in Lancaster and York partnered with Elizabethtown College to support its Angel Tree programs. The project sponsored 400 gifts that were distributed among the Corps' communities and other community organizations hosting Angel Tree programs.
Thank You for Making the Season Bright
Your support made this season of giving possible. Together, we’ve brought hope to our neighbors in need and created lasting holiday memories. As we look ahead to the rest of the new year, we invite you to continue partnering with us in transforming lives and serving our communities.