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From Tara Blagec, director, The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center:

This year, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign raised $74,466.74 for a variety of service programs that assist community members in need.  

The community as a whole came together for the greater good of those we serve and we are grateful to those who dedicated time to ring the bells, the store locations who allowed us to host our kettles, those who kept us in prayer. This is what allows our mission to continue.

Our agency has seen an increase of needs and it is incredible to see various donors just stepping up to meet those increased needs through their generosity. This is what allows us to continue serving those who come to us. Many area businesses, school groups, families wanting to remember and honor a loved one, individuals simply walking in to donate — they all come together for the greater good of those we are called to serve, which is an amazing thing to be part of.

Our holiday programming served 168 Christmas food boxes and provided more than 369 children with toys to wake up with on Christmas morning, along with meeting other extreme needs.

Our agency is dedicated to be good stewards with the resources we receive and we strive to not duplicate, so in turn our resources go further. We work with many of our community partners who also provide Christmas assistance and respect the work they also put into the holiday season — working together is the only way to ensure that the authenticity and generosity shown by our donors for programming is not taken advantage of.

Services we provide help those experiencing hardships in many areas and our concentration when helping is always on long-term self-sustainability and accountability. Our case management, budgeting and guidance efforts will hopefully empower those we are called to serve and provide the “hand up” each person struggling is deserving of.

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From Karen Wertanen, Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign coordinator in Florence County:

Dedicated volunteers, participating businesses and generous donors helped the 2018 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in Florence County reach a total of $5,654.54. This is a great total for our small county, which includes funds donated in the Christmas in July campaign as well.

A sincere thank you to all of the bell ringers, individual and business donors, and the businesses that offered space for a counter kettle, bell-ringing or paper kettles. Note that 86 percent of these funds stay in Florence County to provide emergency assistance to people in need throughout the year.

Pat’s Foods in Florence, Riverside Liquor and Party Store in Spread Eagle and the Aurora Liquor Store/BP Station were sites for bell ringing. The Florence BP Station, Subway, Barb’s Café, Great North Banks of Florence and Aurora, Whisler Outdoors, Family Dollar, Florence Bakery, Aurora Liquor Store/BP Station, Riverside Liquor and Party Store, Tom and Joe’s, Roadhouse 139 and the Long Lake Store provided space for counter kettles. The banks also accepted donations from patrons for the “paper kettles.”

In addition, donations were received by bellringers at the annual Christmas in Florence event.

Thanks to all who assisted with bell-ringing during 2018, which included volunteers from St. Mary’s Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church, Aurora Free Church, Homestead Baptist Church, Florence High School, Beth Palumbo’s Florence Scouts, and many other individuals. Special donations were received from the Florence Utility/WPPI and the Cursillo Group.

For more than a century, the Salvation Army has helped people from all walks of life, all year long. From disaster relief to assistance with food, shelter and emergencies, they are available 365 days a year for those who need help. The Salvation Army is proud to be stewards of the generosity of those who donate and is one of the most trusted charities in the world.

Donations are always gratefully received and can be sent to the Salvation Army, c/o of the Great North Bank, P. O. Box 500, Florence, WI 54121 at any time during the year.

For information about local Salvation Army services, call 715-528-2030. To volunteer for the 2019 Red Kettle Campaign, call me at 715-528-4744.