As the Christmas season approaches, The Salvation Army is gearing up for its biggest fundraising effort of the year. The annual Christmas Campaign, which runs through Dec. 31, aims to raise $3.5 million. Of that total, over $400,000 is expected to come from the iconic bell-ringers collecting donations with their red kettles you’ll see outside grocery stores and shops.
“Love beyond” is a guiding principle for The Salvation Army. The organization’s goal is to provide community members with love beyond their circumstances, including eviction, homelessness, food insecurity, addiction, hopelessness and fear.
Over the past year, the organization provided 34,835 nights of shelter at its Emergency Lodge in Milwaukee, served 27,540 individuals through its five food pantries, offered 73,996 meals to children through its Feed the Kids program, and assisted 858 patients at its health clinic.
Community donations are foundational to all that work. Beyond donating cash at the kettles, individuals can use a “tap to give” feature, to donate from a credit card. For those looking to contribute from anywhere, donations can be made directly on their website or via text by sending “MKE” to 24365. Eighty-four cents of every dollar donated to the Salvation Army goes directly to someone in need.
“We’re making it easier than ever to give because every donation helps support our programs and impact lives across Milwaukee,” says Major Beverly Gates, Milwaukee Area Commander for The Salvation Army.
What We Do
- The Salvation Army is a worldwide charitable organization. Milwaukee County is home to four of the Salvation Army’s worship and community centers, three thrift stores, five food pantries, a homeless shelter and an adult rehabilitation center.
- Salvation Army services provide food, shelter, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, summer programs for children, spiritual enrichment and more.
Where Your Money Goes
- Donor money is used to support programs and services, including backpacks and school supplies for kids, coats for kids and adults, summer meals for kids and adults, toys, Christmas Family Feast, immediate emergency assistance, and relief for disaster victims. The annual Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraising campaign of the year. If you would like to donate your time, please visit RegisterToRing.com to be a bell-ringer.
The Salvation Army
11315 W. Watertown Plank Rd., Wauwatosa | 414-302-4300
SAMilwaukee.org
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