Red Kettles Not 100% Filled in 2008

Feb 11, 2009

The Salvation Army falls nearly $1 million short of Red Kettle Campaign goal

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit today announced that it raised $7,717,281 during the 2008 Red Kettle fundraising campaign. This means that the nonprofit came up $782,719 short of its $8.5 million goal. The Red Kettle campaign ran from Nov. 14, 2008 through Jan. 31, 2009.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who dug deep into their pockets in this difficult economy to help The Salvation Army during our most important fundraiser of the year,” said Lt. Colonel Norman Marshall, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “However, as the victims of the economic crisis we are currently experiencing continue to come to us for assistance, we cannot cut staff or reduce our level of services in any way. As a faith-based organization, we believe that God will provide the much needed funds to help us make up this nearly $1 million deficit through additional donations from the generous people of metro Detroit.”

Throughout the Christmas season, The Salvation Army saw a 20 percent increase in request for assistance at our service centers throughout metro Detroit (both city and suburb). Many people who came seeking assistance were doing so for the first time due to the devastating effects of the downturn not only in Southeast Michigan’s automotive industry, but the overall economy.

“With Michigan’s unemployment rate at a staggering 10.6 percent, we witnessed a massive influx of people requesting our help,” said Marshall.  “Organizations like The Salvation Army provide a critical safety net for people in these troubling times. It is our goal to help them get back on their feet and begin to rebuild their lives.”

According to Governor Jennifer Granholm, The Salvation Army is the single largest social services provider, outside of state government. Red Kettle donations are used throughout the year to help provide programming such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation, meals, lodging, utility assistance, free legal aid, after school programs, counseling, disaster aid and more.

“Funds raised through the Red Kettle campaign are our biggest source of funding for the vital programming we provide year-round in communities throughout metro Detroit,” Marshall added. “And, even though we did not reach our $8.5 million Red Kettle goal, we remain committed to helping people without discrimination and to doing the most good for our neediest neighbors.”

Those interested in helping The Salvation Army make up the nearly $1 million Red Kettle deficit can donate by sending a check to The Salvation Army at 16130 Northland Drive, Southfield, MI 48075, or give by credit card by calling (877) SAL-MICH or online at
www.salmich.org.

Founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination.  At work in Michigan since 1887, The Salvation Army operates 180 facilities throughout the state.  In 2007, these facilities were involved in providing more than 2.8 million meals and 770,314 nights of shelter for the homeless of Southeast Michigan alone. The Salvation Army uses $.83 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at
www.salmich.org.


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