The funds will help The Salvation Army meet the demand for services for shelter, food, clothing and other basic human needs here in the Quad Cities. "The Salvation Army's work is simply not possible without the people of this community who believe in
what we do. And I'd like to share with them the greatest joys of the season: the warm embraces, tears of joy, handshakes and 'thank yous' from the thousands of families they helped serve," said Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator.
During the 2012 Christmas season, The Salvation Army makes Christmas much brighter for thousands of families in need locally. And more than 2,000 volunteer hours were given in order to make all of the Christmas season's programs possible.
More than 7,000 toys (games, books, stuffed animals and toys of all kinds) were donated through the Angel Tree program. Through the 2012 Christmas Distribution program 2,143 children from 1,036 families had a happy Christmas morning. Food boxes were also distributed to an additional 458 households without children. Combined, The Salvation Army distributed food and gifts to 1,494 families totaling 8,623 people in need in the Quad Cities.
"The statistics mentioned are only a reflection of the many people whose lives were impacted because of YOU! We are grateful to everyone who supported this year's Christmas program, either by supporting the red kettles, purchasing gifts for families, volunteering your precious time, supporting our efforts by spreading the word and encouraging others to participate or praying for the program itself and those we have the honor of serving," said the Major.
Two special match programs contributed to the success of this year's campaign. Hiland Toyota made a large gift that was matched through the Toyota Dealer Match Program. And for the second year in a row, Von Maur matched all donations placed in the Red Kettles at the malls on December 22nd.
The Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fund raiser of its kind in the United States, helps raise money to support programs for the very neediest in communities nationwide providing toys for kids, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round. From its humble beginnings as a fund raiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable outreach efforts in the United States.
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