Although dollars and cents recently dropped into the red buckets in the Bradford area haven’t been tallied, officials with The Salvation Army Bradford Corps anticipate reaching just under 50 percent of the fundraising goal.
The local organization had been hoping to bring in $40,000 with the Red Kettle campaign. But officials are still hoping that donations pour in.
“We will have to evaluate what adjustments we need to make to compensate not reaching our goal,” said Capt. David Means of the Bradford Salvation Army. “Even though people can no longer donate in one of our buckets they can still make a donation at the Salvation Army building.”
From mid-November until Dec. 23, bellringers were out manning red kettles at Tops Friendly Markets and Save A Lot in Bradford and Walmart and Big Lots in Foster Township.
Means called the community generous. But the largest hurdle had been having enough volunteers to man the Red Kettle locations, he said.
“Since Bradford can be really cold it’s challenging to find volunteers to cover our outside stands like Walmart and Big Lots,” he said. “We’re looking how we can encourage our volunteers to challenge themselves next year and be winter warriors by standing at our outside stands.”
All told, the organization saw 25 volunteers and 21 volunteer groups, Means said.
In late November, the Red Kettle campaign saw close to 10 percent of the $40,000 goal. And about a month later, officials expect to have only reached less than 50 percent of the campaign goal.
The proceeds from the campaign benefit the local Salvation Army’s programs, including a food pantry, a used-clothing closet and a yearly summer camp for children.
Donations can continue to be made to the organization, at the facility at 111 Jackson Ave. in Bradford or PO box 314, Bradford, PA 16701.
The Salvation Army dates back to 1865 in London. Nowadays, the organization provides vital services in more than 120 countries across the world, including the Western Pennsylvania Division where Bradford is located.
For more information about the local Salvation Army, contact the organization at 368-7012.
