Critical Countdown: The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Ends Christmas Eve
PITTSBURGH (December 23, 2024) – The last day to contribute in person to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is Christmas Eve. Funds raised during this time of year support families and individuals in need across Western Pennsylvania, all year long. Donations are still being collected. At last count this Christmas season, the local arm of the global nonprofit has received more than $1,635,549 in donations, which adds up to almost 70 percent of the total fundraising goal of $2.34 million. In Allegheny County the Red Kettle fundraising goal is $557,000. So far, The Salvation Army has raised an estimated $383,577 across the county, which is almost 69 percent of the total goal.
Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign ensure The Salvation Army can continue critical services including feeding initiatives, rent and utility assistance, seasonal assistance, youth empowerment and spiritual programs. A late Thanksgiving this year means the organization lost a few critical days of fundraising, but thanks to a boost from an anonymous “angel” donor, areas in critical need received a significant boost. Thanks to this donation, gifts given on Saturday, December 21 to The Salvation Army locations in Bradford, Erie, Greenville, Latrobe, Mon Valley, New Kensington, Sharon, Steel Valley (Homestead), Uniontown and Warren were matched, up to $5,000.
Since 1891, The Salvation Army’s iconic sights and sounds of Christmas bells and Red Kettles have been synonymous with the season of giving. Today, donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can be made in person at Red Kettle locations around the world and locally throughout Western Pennsylvania. Give anytime, anywhere! Local donations can be made digitally by visiting salvationarmywpa.org or by texting the word “Kettle” to 31333. Donors can then reply with their ZIP code to ensure each donation goes directly back into the community where they reside. Digital donations will be calculated into the totals after the conclusion of the fundraising campaign.
“It is such a blessing to witness the incredible generosity of our community each Christmas,” Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania said. “Seeing neighbors supporting neighbors fills our hearts with gratitude. Each donation ensures The Salvation Army can continue providing essential shelter, meals and services to those in need throughout the year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We wish everyone the deepest blessings in the new year!”
Every gift to the Red Kettle Campaign stays in the community where it is given and benefits families and individuals where we live, making it possible for The Salvation Army to deliver life-changing programs and services throughout the year. The Salvation Army would like to thank its Allegheny County Red Kettle Kickoff Sponsor PNC Bank.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 134 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, visit salvationarmywpa.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.