The Salvation Army Halfway to Red Kettle Fundraising Goal
PITTSBURGH (December 18, 2024) – The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign ends on Christmas Eve, but with less than a week to go, the local arm of the global nonprofit has only raised just over half of the funds needed to support families and individuals in need across 28 counties in Western Pennsylvania. So far this Christmas season, The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division has received more than $1,232,769 in donations, which adds up to almost 53 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 $296,523 across the county, which is 53 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 and many local areas are seeing a decline in donations year-over-year. Thanks to an anonymous “angel” donor, 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 will be matched, up to $5,000.
The Salvation Army’s iconic sights and sounds of Christmas bells and Red Kettles have been synonymous with the season of giving since 1891. Today, donations to the Red Kettle Campaign can be made in person at Red Kettle locations around the world and locally throughout Western Pennsylvania. The ability to donate anytime, anywhere has become increasingly important. Local gifts can be given virtually 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.
“These last few days leading up to Christmas Eve are critical to ensuring The Salvation Army can continue its mission of serving families and individuals in need,” Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania said. “We are so grateful to our anonymous donor who has stepped up to help. We hope this generosity will inspire the community to come together this Christmas season.”
Funds raised through the Red Kettle Campaign benefit 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.
It is not too late to volunteer! Visit RegistertoRing.com to find a shift and a location or contact your local Salvation Army location directly to become a bellringer to support the critical final days of the Red Kettle Campaign.
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.