GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay’s Red Kettle Campaign is drawing to a close and they need your help to push them over the top.
The goal for the organization this year was to raise $1.25 million prior to the campaign’s end on Christmas Eve.
Captain Matthew O’Neil of the Salvation Army gives an update on where they’re at.
“Currently we are about $370,000 away from our goal,” he says. “So this is our final push.”
He remains positive on their outlook.
“I think with everything coming in and the monetary donations coming in it’s looking promising,” says O’Neil. “But, there are some spots to fill with bell ringing and there’s still buckets to be donated in.”
Even with a sense of optimism it comes with a pray or two.
“I think we’re going to be wrapping it up around two or three o’clock on Christmas Eve as our last day,” he explains. “Just praying that we hit the mark.”
Money collected from the campaign funds holiday efforts, but also goes towards plenty of year-round programs in the community.
“For instance, we have a soup kitchen everyday, we have transitional housing, we have a food pantry,” says O’Neil.
And the organization is also getting some help in the eleventh hour.
“WPS Foundation is matching on [December] 24th,” he explains. “Any dollars that go into the kettle they’ll match dollar for dollar up to $10,000.”
Whether the Greater Green Bay Salvation Army hits their magic number or not, Captain O’Neil remains appreciative of the communities support and kindness around the holidays.
“This community is very well-supportive of the Salvation Army,” he says. “We’re just grateful to be in a place like Green Bay.”
The organization is still looking for more bell ringers this last weekend and you can learn more about it here.
