Salvation Army agencies expect to surpass Red Kettle fund-raising goals

Area Salvation Army organizations expect by week’s end to have Red Kettle campaign totals which exceed their initial expectations.

With the Watertown, Massena and Ogdensburg Salvation Army agencies having goals of $103,000; $53,000; and $43,000, respectively, each Salvation Army captain has said the last week of the campaign — from Dec. 18 to Dec. 24 was the best time for collection.

“The money just comes in those last few days,” said Watertown Salvation Army Capt. Evelyn M. Hopping. “We did pass the $103,000 mark, but I don’t have the exact total.”

Ogdensburg Salvation Army Capt. Angela S. Shaffer said an anonymous donor who made a $10,000 donation shortly before the campaign ended put the campaign in good shape to reach or surpass the $43,000 goal.

In Massena, Salvation Army Capt. Ronald J. Heimbrock said he will remain optimistic that the Massena Salvation Army will be blessed with exceeding its fund-raising goal.

“We still have some counter kettles out, and paper kettles still out,” he said

While the Red Kettle campaign, the Salvation Army’s largest fund raiser, traditionally relies on volunteer bell ringers to man the red kettles for donations, the Massena Salvation Army takes the campaign a step further to offer counter-top kettles and paper kettles for local Massena businesses to offer their patrons.

All captains said final totals should be calculated by week’s end, as money tends to trickle in even after the campaign had ended Dec. 24.

“It’s great knowing the community supports us so well,” Capt. Hopping said. “We’ll be able to assist more people.”

Money collected from the Red Kettle campaign goes toward each Salvation Army organization’s Christmas effort, and children and adult programming year-round. Programs which will be supported through Red Kettle funds of the Watertown Salvation Army include supper club for children, the soup kitchen, clothing vouchers, gym time for teens and various adult programs.