The local Salvation Army has announced the results of the six week holiday red kettle campaign.
The $200,000 goal was passed by more than eight thousand.
Volunteers, donors, and other supporters were thanked not only for the red kettle effort, but for providing a record number of recipients Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree program.
Click below to hear Captain Paul Ryerson visiting with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber.
News Release Courtesy of Salvation Army B/CS:
(Bryan/College Station, TX) – The gifts have been opened, festivities have been celebrated, and a new year is now upon us. The little red bells of The Salvation Army that rang loud and proud for six weeks across Brazos County are now put away for another year.
On November 9th, 2018, Captain Paul Ryerson, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army Bryan/College Station stood at a podium in the middle of Post Oak Mall announcing the goal for the 2018 Red Kettle Campaign fundraising season. “$200,000 is our goal for this season. We need that amount to run the services and programs we offer and I know the public will get us there,” said Ryerson. Not only was the goal set forth before the public, it was also announced the same day by Captain Analese Ryerson that the largest number of Angels through the local Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program would be taking place as well. “2,096 children through our Angel Tree Program will get to experience the joys of opening a present under the tree on Christmas morning. It is that little piece of Christmas magic that we all get to be a part of.”
All across Bryan/College Station, it was likely that you ran into a Salvation Army bell ringer, could hear the sounds of the bell in the distance, or overheard someone talking about volunteering for the Red Kettle Campaign. In 2018, volunteers and volunteer groups covered 1,660 hours during the bell ringing season with each volunteer, or volunteer group, averaging 3.76 hours per volunteer from November 10th through December 24th. “Volunteers are essential to our Christmas efforts,” says Captain Paul Ryerson, “it doesn’t matter if it was at one of our Red Kettles or Angel Tree Program, when the call for help was made, the community answered it.”
When all of the donations from the kettles and online giving had been counted and tallied; a grand total was finally reached. “$200,000 was the original goal. We are happy to report that through the generosity of our community, our total for 2018 Red Kettle Campaign is $208,447.27.” said Captain Paul Ryerson.
The Salvation Army of Bryan/College Station would like to thank all of its volunteers, donors, supporters, and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for helping us make our Christmas season such a great success. The support that was witnessed was simply amazing. Thank you for helping The Salvation Army of Bryan/College Station “Do The Most Good” in our community. If you missed out on donating during the Christmas season, you may still do so through our office or online at www.salvationarmybcs.org.