Late donations boost Salvation Army success

Earlier this month, Maj. Linda Jones reported the local Salvation Army still needed nearly $30,000 to reach the group’s $76,063 holiday fundraising goal.

The organization had only 10 days to raise the money, but Jones said she wasn’t worried. It appears she didn’t need to.

Sheena Swan, case worker for the local Salvation Army, reported that the organization not only met but surpassed its $105,500 goal, raising approximately $120,000 over the holiday season.

“That was a shocker,” Swan said. “I think it’s awesome.”

Swan said a steady stream of donations in the final days leading up to Christmas came in to the Salvation Army’s office, either by mail or personal delivery.

Swan credits local businesses with helping the Salvation Army reach its goal.

“There are a lot more business and organizations that are doing a lot more ‘Pass the Hat’ type of things,” Swan said. “We just had people walking in with $400 or $500.”

Money also came from bellringing locations across the city and a mailing campaign. A toy auction held by Campbell’s Supply raised $2,598. A three-day KMIT/KOOL98 radiothon raised $19, 700.

As usual, one of the kettles in Mitchell received a gold Krugerrand coin from an anonymous source.

The Krugerrands have been showing up in kettles in the city for years.

The Salvation Army later offers them for sale, raising anywhere between $600 to $1,100 per coin, depending on the price of gold at the time of the sale.

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