Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign falls just short of goal
Despite its best efforts, the local Salvation Army fell just short of reaching its goal of raising $2.34 million for this year’s annual Red Kettle holiday fundraising campaign.
For the 2024-25 campaign, Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division said it raised just over $2.2 million, 95% of the goal for this year. This marks a slight decline from the $2.4 million that was raised the year before.
The Salvation Army Butler Corps fared similarly. According to Maj. Darlene Means, who recently retired, the Butler Corps reached 95% of its own goal of $93,000. While no exact figure was available, Means estimated that the Butler corps raised between $89,000 and $90,000.
“We did well,” Means said. “We didn't meet our goal, but we did well.”
The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division includes 28 counties, including Allegheny County, which brought in $502,667 — just over 90% of its goal of $557,000.
The Red Kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s largest annual fundraising effort, and money from the campaign is directed toward the agency’s most important community programs throughout the year.
“The biggest ones supported by the Red Kettle campaign are our local feeding programs,” said Nicole Harrell, public relations director for the Western Pennsylvania Division. “That could be anything from food pantries to community meals. Our local worship and service centers also have their own youth empowerment programs, bible study, and rental assistance.”
In a news release, the Western Pennsylvania Division partially attributed the decline in donations to a late start to this year’s campaign.
The Red Kettle campaign traditionally starts on Thanksgiving Day, and is promoted during the halftime show of the Dallas Cowboys’ annual holiday football game. This year, Thanksgiving fell on the latest possible date, Nov. 28.
“I would say that had a little bit to do with it, but we’re grateful for all the donations we’ve gotten,” Harrell said.
While the Red Kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s largest and most important fundraising effort, the agency accepts donations all year long. The Western Pennsylvania Division can accept one-time or recurring monthly donations through its website.
“We’re still here. Even though we didn’t quite make 100%, we’re still putting on these programs that are needed in the community,” Harrell said.
