The Rochester Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign collected more than $1.2 million in 2014, breaking its old fundraising record.
The 119-year-old local organization brought in $407,529 during the Christmas season, exceeding its holiday goal and helping push the annual campaign past its goal of $1.05 million, according to a Rochester Salvation Army press release.
Last year, the campaign collected $1.076 million in total donations. In the final days before Christmas, Salvation Army spokesman Dave Ferber expressed concern that the ambitious 2014 goal would not be met. But a strong push made possible by an unprecedented four-day challenge match and an "overwhelming surge of last-minute gifts from a variety of generous donors" pushed the campaign over the top.
A brief volunteer appreciation ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. today at the Adult Day Program building at 115 NE First Ave.
"We see a growing amount of daily struggle that many more fortunate may not see, and we meet human needs with compassion, prayer and through these monetary gifts entrusted to us by our supporters in the community," said Salvation Army Maj. Jim Frye. "We do the most good with the resources we have at our disposal."
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The Salvation Army is planning to celebrate its 150th year of existence with sesquicentennial events held in London later this year. The Rochester site will honor that legacy with events and activities that will be announced at a later date.
"To realize that the results of the 2014 Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign well exceeded its fundraising goal reminds me how much I love living in this community of generous people," said Red Kettle/Christmas Campaign Honorary Chairman Randy Chapman, who is also the publisher of the Post-Bulletin newspaper. "Generous when digging deep for coins, dollars and writing checks, and generous in volunteering hours and hours to ring bells, collect and count money or hosting campaign events."
