The local Salvation Army credited the giving spirit of the Brainerd lakes community in reporting the overall 2019 Christmas fundraising goal of $353,000 was reached.
More than 10% of the goal was raised Dec. 19 during Fleet Farm Day of Caring, an annual event that generated $42,000 worth of donations, the Salvation Army reported this month.
“Fleet Farm Day of Caring always gives our Christmas Campaign a big boost,” said Capt. Jeff Curran, leader of the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army, in a news release. “People look forward to this one-day kettle match every Christmas season.”
Total kettle donations reached just over $151,000. The remaining $200,000 worth of gifts came from donations made online, through the mail and other giving avenues.
All of those dollars were raised with the help of nearly 300 Salvation Army volunteers. Together, they gave almost 1,600 hours of their time.
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“We are grateful for the many dedicated volunteers who helped raise money and serve people in need during the Christmas season,” Curran said.
During the 2019 Christmas season, the Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army provided:
Cub gift cards for 689 households to buy a Christmas dinner,
Christmas presents for 1,080 children through its Angel Tree program.
Money raised during the 2019 Christmas season will be used to provide assistance for local individuals and families in need throughout 2020.
