2024 RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN 31,000 BEHIND GOAL
PETOSKEY SALVATION ARMY NEEDS A MIRACLE TO MAKE THE RED KETTLE GOAL
Annual Red Kettle Campaign That Helps Struggling Households With Critical Needs Behind $31,000
December 31, 2024, Petoskey, MI – Due to high inflation and a struggling economy, donations are down considerably from prior years. The 2024 Red Kettle Campaign is behind its goal by $31,000 and hitting it will take a Christmas miracle since bellringing ended on Christmas Eve. Now the only hope is in donations trickling in that are specifically designated for Red Kettles. Money raised at Red Kettles funds many year-round programs that supply basic needs for struggling local residents such as food, heat, electricity, rent assistance, holiday assistance, senior programs and more.
Although bellringing has concluded, there is still time to donate and meet the Red Kettle Campaign goal prior to the end of January” Says Tim Brubaker, the 2024 Red Kettle Campaign Chairman. “Thank you to all who put money in a Red Kettle this year. Please remember that the need for food, heat and shelter continues long after the bellringing and red kettle season is over and continue supporting the work of The Salvation Army. Our prayer is that your kind donations will meet the needs of the hungry, cold and homeless members of our community throughout the future”.
Without the Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army will not be able to help as many people which is so critical especially during the cold winter months. Families need a warm safe home with food on the table and gas and electricity to cook, wash clothing, do homework and many other essential needs that allow them to thrive. Helping with just one of those needs can often prevent them from becoming homeless and losing everything they’ve worked for.
While generous service club members and partner organizations continue to ring the bell each year, individual volunteers have decreased and kettles without ringers remain empty. When you combine few bellringers with a struggling economy it becomes a recipe for disaster. Even when campaign goals are met, it is becoming increasingly more challenging for The Salvation Army of Petoskey to meet the rising demand for assistance in the communities it serves which are Emmet, Charlevoix and Antrim Counties.
Envoy Roman Hank says “Friends, with our kettle season ending, the need continues to exist. I thank you if you have given throughout our kettle season, if you haven’t had an opportunity to give, it’s not too late. Please help us meet those needs this coming year”. You can still donate to the Red Kettle Campaign online at SAPetoskey.org or by mailing a check made out to The Salvation Army of Petoskey to 2350 Mitchell Park Drive, Petoskey, MI 49770. Please add a comment for “Red Kettle” when giving online and on check notation lines.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more about our year-round programs and services or to donate, please call (231) 347-3531 or visit SAPetoskey.org.