PRINCETON, W.Va. – Two of the Salvation Army’s biggest fundraising and giving campaigns seen an increase for the 2024 season.
According to Sgt. Mellissa White, Corps Administrator of the Salvation Army for Mercer, McDowell, Summers, Monroe, and Tazwell County says the Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns did very well this year.
Because of Thanksgiving starting so late in the year, the Red Kettle campaign started a week late and was not expected to reach the goal of $80,000.
With the help of the community, the organization surpassed their goal and raised $82,000. This money will help the local Salvation Army who fell into a deficit from being short $27,000 from their goal last year.
The Angel Tree campaign, which helps hundreds of local children each year receive Christmas gifts saw an increase of community generosity.
Last year the campaign helped around 300 children, this year that number tripled to 902.
“I just want to really thank everyone for all the just extreme giving that they have provided for us this year,” said White. “In the past, we’ve always had to buy some toys to provide for the children at Christmas. We didn’t have to buy one toy this year for the children. The community stepped up and provided everything that these Children needed.”
White says the increase in totals of both campaigns would not be possible without the volunteer efforts from members of Recovery Point and Bluefield State University students.
“I’m just so grateful. I’ve never seen anything like the outpouring of love for this community like I saw this year.”
Even though the giving season is over, White still encourages people to help throughout the year. She says you can donate gently used items to their store located on Mercer Street or donated to their food pantry in Princeton.
White says she also wants to thank the shoppers who donated at Grant’s Supermarket and Goodson’s during WVVA’s 20 Days of Giving campaign.
The Salvation Army was one of 20 food pantries that received food.
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