Charity gets last-minute salvation of its own

The Salvation Army made a surprise comeback, surpassing its fundraising target as large donations rolled in from Cargill and others.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: January 8, 2009 - 7:28 PM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

More from South Metro

The Twin Cities Salvation Army staged a late rally and raised $9 million for its 2008 Christmas Campaign, surpassing its goal of $8.5 million, the charity announced Thursday. Even so, this year's amount fell short of last year's campaign total of $9.3 million.

The Salvation Army also said that this year's Red Kettle donations reached more than $2.9 million, nearly $100,000 more than last year.

This year's comeback began Dec. 23, when the Salvation Army raised $1 million. Cargill Inc. donated $500,000 and an anonymous donor gave a $250,000 matching gift that was met with more than $300,000 in community donations.

"There is a great desire in our community to reach out to others and to have a positive impact," Cargill CEO Greg Page, Christmas chairman of the Twin Cities Salvation Army, said in a news release. "The Salvation Army experienced that generous spirit this holiday season. The good these donations will do in helping the Salvation Army support those in need will extend throughout 2009."

As 2008 came to a close, the Salvation Army was still more than $100,000 short of its goal. But by Monday, Salvation Army staff received thousands of mailed donations postmarked Dec. 31. One was a check for $50,000 and another gift of $300,000.

"Nobody could believe it," said Maj. Darryl Leedom, commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. "These two gracious donors and everyone else who gave to the Salvation Army this Christmas season will never fully understand how thankful we are for their generosity during such difficult economic times."

Christmas Campaign donations represent about a third of the Twin Cities Salvation Army's yearlong budget of $24 million.

The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in need.

Donations can be made online at www.thesalarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

Recent South Metro stories

Drunk driver accepts 8-year term in Burnsville woman's death - January 8, 2009

Drunk driver accepts 8-year term in Burnsville woman's death - A Burnsville woman, 66, was run over and killed; the driver's blood-alcohol content was 5 times the legal limit. More