Decatur Salvation Army makes final push for donations

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — For weeks, volunteers have been standing outside local stores ringing bells to raise funds for the Decatur Salvation Army. So far, they've gathered over $350,000. But this is still short of the total fundraising goal for the organization.

"We set a lofty goal proportionate to the needs of the community and the needs of our programs to be funded to meet those needs," said Kyle Karsten, Director of Development for Decatur Salvation Army. "We're about two thirds of the way through, toward our $600,000 goal."

Volunteers will still be ringing bells through Christmas Eve, and the organization will collect donations into the new year. Karsten said last minute donations often help push the organization much closer to their final foal.

Each dollar donated to the Decatur Salvation Army, stays local. The 6 weeks of bell ringing cover a large part of each program's annual expenses.

"We're keeping people in their homes, we're keeping the heat on, helping with utilities and emergency services, we're feeding families," said Karsten.

"We are making sure that men are not out in that dangerous cold during the winter and helping them back to the path of self-sufficiency and our men's shelter. So it's those programs that are just there to meet the needs of the community as they arise."

It's not too late to donate. You can drop cash in a red kettle outside of many local stores. Some kettles also have a tap to donate option. You can also donate online.