The 2018 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is now underway. The annual Christmas drive has a goal of 1.5 million dollars this year… a goal that experts say represents the needs in the community.
“1.5 million dollars is the goal and we’re encouraging the community to help us reach that goal.”
That’s Major Norman Grainger, the Salvation Army Kent County Coordinator. Last week’s kick off he says is an indication that the Salvation Army will be at 60 different sites around Kent County adding they’re still in need of volunteers.
“We need volunteers not only for the Red Kettles but for sorting toys as toys come in we need to categorize for different age groups and set up for toy shop later in December.”
As mentioned the goal is set at 1.5 million dollars… some of which will be used to brighten the Christmas for those in need.
“We think of Christmas and we think of the tree and gifts under the tree for children so we want to make sure every child in need in our community gets a toy and we want to give out vouchers for a Christmas meal as well.”
But Grainger says this campaign is for a lot more than the holidays… it determines their budget for the year as well as how much help they can provide. Energy assistance is huge along with many other needs in the community.
“And the Salvation Army can be involved in anything from emergency disaster assistance, those things that come along every year and also our social services through our food pantry, we have food assistance and we’re involved in preventing and ending homelessness.”
Major Grainger says last year kettle donations amounted to more than 330-thousand dollars. If you’d like to volunteer or donate, you can find more information at SAKentCounty.org.
