Salvation Army annual campaign falls short

Money raised during the annual Christmas Campaign helps support local programming at the organization throughout the year. (Facebook/Salvation Army)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – The Salvation Army of McLean County announced Thursday its annual Christmas Campaign fell short of its desired goal.

The organization said this year it raised $497,814, 4% behind its goal of $520,000. The iconic red kettles had a goal of $220,000, but came up short and raised $173,613.

The Salvation Army said the kettles faced many obstacles this year.  Some of those challenges – Thanksgiving being later left fewer days for shopping, fewer shoppers are carrying cash, and more shopping is done online.

While the red kettles saw fewer donations, the organization said mail and online gift donations were up, raising $324,200 toward its goal of $300,000.

Money raised during the annual campaign helps support local programming at the organization throughout the year.

Neil Doyle 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…