Christmas fundraiser’s success initially looked meagre for Christian charity
The outlook is bright for Victoria’s Salvation Army this year, despite a grim forecast leading up to Christmas.
In mid-December, with just a week remaining in its kettle fundraising campaign, the Salvation Army had collected less than half its goal of $200,000.
Organizers expected program cuts in the new year, should the agency’s most visual fundraiser fail.
In the end the kettle drive exceeded expectations, taking in $235,000.
“People are very generous,” Salvation Army special projects officer Kyla Ferns said.
“We’re very lucky. Victorians are always there for us.”
In addition to the kettles, a Dec. 10 CHEK-TV fundraiser supporting the Salvation Army brought in about three tons of food and a large truckload of clothing and toy donations.
“If the funds aren’t there for the programs, we sadly have to cut them,” Ferns said. “If we didn’t meet our goals, we would have to discuss that at the time and see what’s necessary.”
On the contrary, the local Salvation Army will run at full strength.
ecardone@vicnews.com