Annual Red Kettle Campaign a Success…THANK YOU!

Thanks to generous donations from the Knoxville area community, thousands of volunteer hours and the support of area retailers, The Salvation Army raised over $587,000 through the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign. The total represents more than a 9% increase over 2010 and exceeded the goal of $500,000.  The total includes Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge and Sevierville. The campaign, which kicked off on November 14 and ran through Christmas Eve, is The Salvation Army’s largest fundraising event.

“We’re again overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends and neighbors here in the Knoxville area,” said Major Don Vick. “For the first time in several years, we were ahead of the pace needed to exceed our goal for most of the campaign and take advantage of the drier weather to maximize our kettle locations throughout the command.”

The contributions helped to fund The Salvation Army’s Christmas programs, which helped over 4,300 families in need in 2011. During the Christmas season, the command provided:

~ 1,362 holiday meals served

~ 4,385 families served

~ 8,024 individuals served

~ 2,100food boxes given

~ 4,539 Angels

~ 5,230 stockings

~ 37,843 gifts

~ 23,135 clothing items

The contributions will also help keep area programs and services, which affect nearly 30,000 people in East Tennessee, going throughout 2012.

Honoring Our Volunteers

On August 11, The Salvation Army honored its volunteers with an ice cream social, live music and door prizes. The event, which was held at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in West Knoxville, served as a party with a purpose. Volunteers were asked to bring school supplies to help children in need get a head start on the upcoming school year. 

“Volunteers are so vital to our ministry that we often call them the army behind the Army,” explained Knoxville Area Commander, Major Don Vick.  “They truly are the foundation of our mission and this event is just a small token of our appreciation for everything they do for our community.”

The event honored the thousands of individuals who donated nearly 20,000 hours of time to The Salvation Army last year. However, it was a select few who were recognized for their overwhelming support and dedication to The Salvation Army. The awards this year included the Mary Shafer Award for Outstanding Service to The Salvation Army in honor of the late Mary Shafer, wife of Salvation Army Board Member Emeritus Bo Shafer and a long-time supporter of the organization. This award was given to Kristi Lynch who has donated her time and artistic ability to the mural in The Salvation Army’s Community Garden which was valued at $8,000.

“I just try to share the talent God’s blessed me with to hopefully make a difference,” said Lynch.  It’s been an honor to work with The Salvation Army and I would do it again!”

Also recognized were First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis of Maryville, Northside Kiwanis and Stephen Shubiak for 60 hours each of bell ringing during the 2010 Red Kettle Campaign. There were several groups who each adopted 100 Angels during the 2010 Angel Tree Campaign. These groups were: Cooper Realty Investments, The Hobby Williams Salon, St. John’s Cathedral, Morning Star Child Development and Pilot Flying J. Finally, The Girl Scouts of the Beaver Creek Service Unit were recognized for filling 700 stockings during the 2010 campaign.

4 Ways to Do the Most Good this Year

There are so many ways for you to be involved in The Salvation Army’s epic Christmas programs this year! Here are 4 simple ideas:

1. Red Kettles – once again the kettles will be out at nearly 50 locations around the Knoxville area.  Please don’t forget to give!  And volunteer!  We need volunteers to ring those bells.  For more information, call Julie at 525-9401 or e-mail KnoxvilleBells@gmail.com.
2. Angel Tree – there are actually two ways to be involved in our Angel Tree program this year.  To adopt an Angel and shop the old-fashioned way, call Candis at 789-3699 or e-mail KnoxAngelTree@gmail.com.   Or, to shop from the comfort of your own home, visit JCP.com/Angel.  You can adopt a local Angel, shop online, and UPS even picks up the shipping.  Sweet.
3. Christmas Stockings – In addition to the Angel Tree program,  an extra 5500 local children and senior citizens will receive Christmas Stockings from The Salvation Army.  As of today, we’ve got about 3500 to go.  For information on how to get stockings and fill them up, contact Jill at 525-9401 or KnoxStockings@gmail.com.
4. Give Online – If all of this just sounds way too complicated, you can just visit SalvationArmyKnoxville.org, click on the Red Kettle and make a donation online.

We’re still working on #5.  More details to come!