As of tonight (Tuesday, December 23, 2014), the total amount of donations raised via the Tamaqua Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is just under $35,000. That is a difference of about $15,000 from last year’s total of $50,000. Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) is the last day of the campaign.
“With an average yearly budget of $400,000, our red kettle campaign goal this year was $60,000,” said Tamaqua Salvation Army Major Sharon Whispell. “That is far below what we were hoping for.”
The Tamaqua Salvation Army and its few volunteers assisted almost 400 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. That totaled almost 900 individuals with either food and gifts for children 12 and under. In addition, they provide senior/youth programs, free food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic essentials year-round.
“We are blessed that we receive help from the Schuylkill United Way and the community,” added Whispell. “Sadly, it is not enough to meet a $400,000 budget and to do all we need to do to help the community and all those in need.”
Again, tomorrow (Christmas Eve) is the last day to donate at a red kettle.