Salvation Army seeks donations as holiday fundraising slows
Hannah MackayDetroit — Donations to the Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign are down by nearly 14% compared to last year as the organization's 13 Metro Detroit community centers prepare to provide meals and gifts for thousands of families this holiday season.
All donations made to in-person red kettles before Dec. 23 and virtually before New Year's Eve up to $550,000 will be fully matched by the Consortium of Hope, a group of local leaders and businesses.
The Salvation Army's goal for the campaign, which was announced in October, is to raise $7.9 million, according to a news release from Wednesday.
This is up from last year's $7.6 million goal due to increased need and demand for services in Metro Detroit, said Colonel Steve Merritt, Divisional Commander for the Great Lakes Division.
"The Consortium of Hope comes at a critical time – with kettle donations down, every contribution, regardless of its size, makes an impact in our community," said Major Toni Dorrell, Metro Detroit Area Commander. "The need is especially great this time of year – families in need are weathering the added costs of the holidays while struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table."
The Salvation Army makes it possible for Inkster resident Christine Cullerton to make Christmas special for her 10 grandchildren, all of whom are 16 years old or younger.
"If it wasn't for them, they wouldn't have a Christmas, because I can't afford that. December is just like another month. You know the lights got to be paid, the rent has to be paid," Cullerton, 63, said. "They get a couple of toys, they get a couple of presents each. That's better than no presents."
The organization called on Metro Detroiters to donate to the campaign. All funds go to families and individuals in the Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb communities they are given. Contributions are also tax-deductible.
"People are still making their choices between what's being paid: rent, utility, food, those types of things on top of the stress of Christmas," Merritt said. "You may think $1 or the change in your pocket doesn't make a difference, but it does. It all adds up."
The Salvation Army collects gifts for children using angel trees at Walmart and other community locations, Merritt said. Tags on the trees display children's ages and sizes so gifts can be purchased and distributed to assigned families. They also work closely with local food banks such as Gleaners, Merritt said.
In addition to food and gifts around the holidays, the Salvation Army provides families experiencing financial insecurity with shelter and services such as youth and senior programs, drug and alcohol treatment, free legal aid, and emergency disaster relief year-round.
Cullerton stops by the Salvation Army on Tuesdays to pick up food and will often get clothes for her grandchildren throughout the year.
"We have to turn to assistance and it's not that it's a bad thing to get assistance — it's not," Cullerton said. "They give me assistance with food, they give me assistance with Christmas, in winter time they give me assistance with coats. ... They help me out immensely. If it wasn't for the Salvation Army I don't know where I'd be."
The Red Kettle campaign is the organization's largest fundraiser and while need is more visible around Christmas, funds collected support programs throughout the year, Merritt said.
Volunteers will be bell-ringing in busy public locations and outside grocery stores throughout Metro Detroit until New Year's Eve. People can sign up to volunteer and help raise funds here.
- Text GIFT to 24365
- Visit an online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or physical red kettle
- Call 877-SAL-MICH
- Send a check, made payable to The Salvation Army, to: 16130 Northland Dr., Southfield, MI 48075