Salvation Army nearing goal in final day of red kettle campaign

Posted on December 24, 2014

The Salvation Army of McLean County raised a one-day total of $14,632 in its' second-to-last day of the red kettle campaign. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The Salvation Army of McLean County is expecting a large rush of donations in the final day of its red kettle campaign Wednesday.

Spokeswoman Angie Fulton says bell-ringers raised $14,632 Tuesday, the highest one-day total in recent memory.

"Last year, I think our biggest day was $12,000, and we were blown away by that," Fulton said.

Fulton said they typically see donations spike towards the end of their campaign.

"People are out doing more, doing their shopping. School's out and people are out doing more," Fulton said. "But I also think you start to catch the Christmas spirit and the spirit of giving back."

The Salvation Army needs to raise $10,927 Wednesday to reach its goal for the red kettle campaign of $240,000 dollars. Fulton said they're also about $45,000 short of their mail-in campaign goal of $240,000 with just a week left in that fundraiser.

To support the Salvation Army, checks can be mailed to:
The Salvation Army, PO Box 3186, Bloomington, IL 61702-3186

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…