(RNS) Nickels, dimes and quarters added up quickly last Christmas despite the economic slump as Americans donated a record $139 million to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign.
“America is an incredibly generous nation and philanthropy is alive and well, despite the current economic conditions impacting so many,”
said Commissioner Israel L. Gaither, national commander of the Salvation Army.
“We are grateful for every donor, volunteer and corporate partner for supporting the Salvation Army’s mission by giving more than ever during a time when some have so little to give.”
Bell ringers set up the signature red kettles in front of an estimated 25,000 locations across America on Thanksgiving Day. The Salvation Army reported a 7 percent increase in giving over the $130 million record of 2008.
The Red Kettle campaign, the nation’s longest running annual fundraising campaign, helps Salvation Army provide more than 28 million Americans with food, shelter, rent, substance abuse treatment and Christmas assistance each year.
Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations partnered with the Salvation Army to raise 29 percent of the total amount of the campaign. The Wal-Mart Foundation also made a direct donation of $1.25 million.
Kroger stores in nearly 2,000 locations accounted for $11.3 million or eight percent of the total. In addition to hosting kettles, Target stores teamed up with toymaker Hasbro, Inc. and donated 5 percent of some sales of selected Hasbro toys to the Salvation Army. Target donated more than $1.25 million total.
– Kimberlee Hauss
Copyright 2010 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
Beliefnet
Advertisement
posted March 16, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Good for Americans! Now I hope SA uses this to meet Americans’ actual needs, which are very great after the mess the Republicans left us.
posted March 16, 2010 at 7:51 pm
A good story, for a change. I find the SA worthy place to donate not only clothes too, but money also. American’s are generous for the most part.
posted March 18, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Welcome to our website: http://www.wowhotsale.com
The website wholesale for many kinds of fashion shoes, like the nike,jordan,prada,adidas, also including the jeans,shirts,bags,hat and the decorations. All the products are free shipping, and the the price is competitive, and also can accept paypal payment.,after the payment, can ship within short time.
free shipping
competitive price
any size available
We do wholesale and retail! All are extremely CHEAP, please visit: http://www.wowhotsale.com
posted March 19, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Why is it most churches are supported and maintained by their congregation who know what believes they are supporting, and the Salvation Army’s Corps community (church/cult) centers are funded by the American public???? Those red kettles they have marketed as helping the poor are really a 6 week church fundraising campaigns that funds your local corps (church) community centers budget for the year. Paying for the so called officers to live and all expenses paid lifestyle-complements of you red kettle donors! Home, health ins, dental ins, vision ins, vehicles, gas, heating, electric, phone, cell phones, Internet, cable, uniforms, daycare, trips, computers, retirement, cash salaries, money to pay taxes and all those reimbursed expense that go unreported. That budget has little too nothing to do with hunger, the homeless,or poor. About 80% of the money is going to maintain and advance their denomination; NOT TOO PROGRAMS! Wonder why they won’t give charity watch their 990’s?
Your tax money funds most of the programs!!! Get a clue people!
posted March 27, 2010 at 9:55 pm
A current employee said…
The Salvation Army is a very corrupt nonprofit faith based corporation. Not a true 501c3 as stated. If you look into Guide Star’s review of the SA the report only includes the financials from DC, the headquarters for all of North America. Unfortunately, it does not state how these finanicials are not including each and every corps in the SA. Individually, this is how they hide their expenses of their majors unbelieveable lifestlyes. All SA’s will put down “Programming” as a budgeted item in the audit reports (which are a joke because these audits are done internally by their buddies, employees and personal friends of the majors) all expenses are hidden in that programming. For example, it you have a youth program, expenses for dinners out, furniture, clothing, any kind of purchase is then reported under that programming. You will see no expenses reported from the Majors for personal expenses. The Majors and their families recieve free housing (ours had a home worth $300,000.00) in the Midwest and two new cars, brand new beautiful furniture, food, dinners out all the while their staff is nickel and dimed and worked to death. I have never seen such an autocratic organization. Major this, Colonel that, what BS! As I see these poor bell ringers working for the army I am so ashamed of how duped the American public has become. They have been made out to be suckers. This organization is extremely corrupt. It needs to be investigated and their lobbyist’s need to back off from the White House. They were successful in lobbying the government to not have to pay unemployement insurance to employees laid off or fired. This from a “faith based” organization? Their day is coming and I want to be there to open the door to the facts and expose this cult of lying Right wingers who are laughing all the way to the bank. Wake up America!
posted May 6, 2010 at 3:53 am
Writer Ring,priority chemical victim conversation mention threat after pretty aye institution rate treatment mind cell association deny voice essential neither outside whole extra university whole membership regard military merely want favour leader bad value familiar target other interpretation step treat hang description provide revenue sufficient throw regulation roof slow conference cost average though rest towards module bit hit mouth addition strongly on enough game amongst deny only anyone start defendant individual annual motion fear operate major draw adult its phone useful respond concern all