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Red Kettle Campaign Exceeds Annual Goal

John Healy of Bemus Point rings the bell for the 2018 Red Kettles Campaign in December. It was announced Wednesday that the Salvation Army exceeded its $115,300 goal last year. P-J photo by William Mohan

Thanks to many last-second donations received at its various locations, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign met and exceeded its local goal for 2018.

The Jamestown branch of the Salvation Army ended the season with $118,900 raised through the holiday. That’s about $3,600 more than what was targeted, Maj. John Merchant of the Jamestown Salvation Army said.

“We can’t say thank you enough,” Merchant said.

The late-season pushed made 2018 a strong year for the nonprofit organization. The final donation tally for 2018 is also the first time that the Red Kettle Campaign has reached or exceeded its goal for both Jamestown and Dunkirk in four years.

The outcome was better than Merchant predicted as the organization was several thousands of dollars behind with only days to go.

“We need to raise $29,344 each week until Christmas Eve,” Merchant said mid-December.

The final numbers were explained by Merchant as the result of one simple thing: more were in a giving mode toward the final days into Christmas.

“The nine to 10 days before Christmas are generally when we find donors in a positive mood,” Merchant said.

More than 500 volunteers helped the Salvation Army this season. In addition, the group also did not have to pay as many bell ringers during shifts as first predicted.

This came as excellent news for Merchant. “We paid less $3,000 in total,” he said of paid bell ringers. “We had more turn out from volunteers after (media) publication.”

The Red Kettle Campaign used collection points at various locations throughout the Jamestown area. Three particular locations stood out to Merchant.

“Tops on Washington Street, Walmart and Brigotta’s were the top performing locations for 2018,” he said.

Merchant also contributes the results of the campaign to the fact that there was plenty of time to help plan ahead in 2018. He especially noted that the placement of Thanksgiving was crucial along with the final weekend before Christmas.

“Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving are crucial because it is also when most are in a positive giving mood,” Merchant said.

“The final week before Christmas is also when people are willing to give more.”

Every dollar received from the Red Kettle Campaign funds various programs in the Community during the holidays and throughout the year.

“We were able to donate to all the children in need of gifts,” Merchant said. “Thank you to everybody for helping to reach our goal this year.”

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