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Salvation Army reaches kettle goal

January 02, 2009|HERB BROCK

The Danville Salvation Army reached its goal for the 2008 Christmas kettle campaign.

The goal was $85,000, and the total collected from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve was $85,022.28, Lt. Dan Nelson, co-commander of the local army, said today.

"We are so thankful for the support of our community," Nelson said.

With less than a week left of bellringing at its kettles, the army had collected a little more than $40,000, he said. That means $45,000 was collected in a period of only six and a half days.

Nelson said the army "knew this would be a challenging year" to raise funds because of economic conditions.

"But we never doubted the generosity of our community, nor did we doubt God's provision," he said.

In addition to the economy being a challenge, the army's annual fundraising campaign had to deal with a shortened period for the 2008 kettle campaign, Nelson said.

"To raise this much money, in this economy and with five fewer bellringing days than last year, is just wonderful."

The goal was the same as last year's.

"We usually increase our kettle campaign goal from one year to the next, but we decided it would be best to keep the same goal for the 2008 campaign as we had for the 2007 campaign because we knew the generous people who support us were going to be dealing with the recession and related economic issues," the lieutenant said.

The money collected funds all of the army's programs throughout the year in Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties.

Nelson had more good news about Christmas 2008. The Angel Tree program also was a success, he said.

A total of 530 families signed up to receive Christmas assistance in the way of a food basket and toys for their children, he said. The 530 families represented 997 children, an increase of nearly 200 children over the more than 800 "angels" in 2007, he said.

"All 997 children that were signed up received gifts," said Nelson. "Our gym became a warehouse of gifts complete with a large donated Christmas tree placed right in the center.

"There were many smiling faces on distibution day and many thankful hearts thanks to the giving spirit of our communities."

The army distributed the gifts and food baskets on Dec. 18 and 19.

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