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Red Kettle challenge could generate $250,000 in one day and set national record
The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation Quarter Million Dollar Challenge
| APPLETON, Wis. (Nov. 18, 2008) – The largest continuous community match day in the United States for The Salvation Army and the largest-ever match day challenge in the nation will take place in the Fox Cities on Friday, Dec. 5. On that day, the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation has pledged to match dollar for dollar up to $125,000 in donations at the 48 Salvation Army Red Kettles in the Fox Cities, which could result in a quarter million dollars raised in a single day.
This historic challenge continues the Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day tradition that has helped generate more than $400,000 for the Salvation Army in the last four years. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the public to double their gifts,” said Major Jose Tamayo, corps officer, Appleton. “The scope and size of this challenge grant will make an incredible impact on our ability to serve low-income families here locally. It was truly amazing to witness the response and support by the public’s generosity last year to the Thrivent Financial Foundation Match Day. We are forever grateful for this opportunity and this helps to raise the needed funds during the Christmas season. The Thrivent Financial Foundation initiative and the community’s gifts at the kettles will make a positive impact for so many lives right here in the Fox Cities.” “Each year I am amazed at the overwhelming response by the community during the Thrivent Financial Foundation Match Day,” said Jon Stellmacher, chief administrative officer and executive vice president of Thrivent Financial. “This year’s challenge is twice the size of last year’s, but we are confident the Fox Cities community will help fill the kettles on Dec. 5 to support the important work of the Salvation Army as it helps hundreds of our neighbors in need of the services it provides.” This will be the fifth year the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is offering this challenge grant to the local community for the benefit of The Salvation Army – Fox Cities Christmas campaign. According to the Salvation Army, it is also the largest continuous community match day in the United States. • In 2004, the Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day raised $29,508 from the public. That coupled with the $25,000 Thrivent Financial Foundation match helped to set a single-day record total of $54,508 for the kettle campaign. • During 2005, the community surpassed expectations by contributing $43,773. In turn the Thrivent Financial Foundation then matched the entire amount totaling $87,546 on that day. • A record amount of $54,699 was set in 2006 due to overwhelming public response. That year, an unexpected grant from the Thrivent Financial Foundation matched that entire amount to mark a new single-day record of $109,398 at the kettles. • In 2007, yet another all-time single-day record of $97,256 was set due to the community’s response at the kettles. Last year, a $60,000 Thrivent Financial Foundation multiplier grant was then added for a total of $157,256. • For 2008, the $125,000 challenge more than doubles the amount offered last year by the Thrivent Financial Foundation. • In the past four years, an amazing $408,708 has been raised during the Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day via public and Thrivent Financial Foundation contributions. One factor that contributes to the success of the Thrivent Financial Red Kettle Match Day is the effort of volunteers who ring bells at the 48 kettle sites throughout the Fox Cities. Donations are much greater with a volunteer present. Thrivent Financial employees will be among those volunteering to ring bells in the community and at area Thrivent Financial facilities on Dec. 5. This will also be the third year for the Thrivent Financial Red Kettle Idol contest. “Red Kettle Idol” is a friendly, festive competition for Thrivent Financial employees to help trigger donors to drop a few more coins and bills into the red kettle. “Red Kettle Idol” participants will showcase their talents by singing or playing holiday songs, demonstrating unusual skills or simply dressing up in holiday costumes. For 2008, The Salvation Army – Fox Cities has a one million dollar Christmas fund-raising goal. It accounts for 57 percent of the local Salvation Army’s operating budget that is generated from public support. These funds will be collected at Red Kettles, from corporate year-end donations and through a Christmas Mail Appeal. These funds will provide assistance to thousands’ of the area’s needy this Christmas and will also fund many of the Army’s year-round efforts to those in need right here in the Fox Cities. Last year in the Fox Cities, the Army’s Christmas assistance program, funded by the Red Kettles along with public donations, provided over 20,000 toys to children, Christmas food baskets and gifts to 5,127 people along with thousands of winter coats. A total of 2,417 people (575 families) were also assisted through the Adopt-A-Family program. For more information on the Christmas programs supported by the Salvation Army visit www.safoxcities.org or call 920-734-3324. The annual Red Kettle Campaign is set to conclude the afternoon of Dec. 24. Bell ringers are still needed. To see a complete list of participating red kettle locations and to sign up on-line to ring bells go to www.safoxcities.org or call the bell coordinator at 920-955-1225. Donations may be mailed to: The Salvation Army - Fox Cities, P. O. Box 1605, Appleton, WI 54912-1605. About the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is a private foundation funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. As a 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of trustees, the foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational purposes and makes grants and gifts to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. The Foundation does not provide grants to individuals. To learn more about the Foundation and its programs, visit: www.thrivent.com/foundations. About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping nearly 3 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com. About the Salvation Army The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Christian church. As a faith based organization, The Salvation Army also provides physical aid such as food, clothing and shelter, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. The Salvation Army of the Fox Cities has been located in Appleton since 1917. They serve the Fox Valley area in Neenah, Menasha, Kimberly, Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Grand Chute, Little Chute, Appleton and Darboy. The Salvation Army of the Fox Cites is not a participating United Way agency. For more information, visit www.safoxcities.org. -END- 200805335 |
| Contact Information: | |||
| Brett Weinberg Director, Public Relations brett.weinberg@thrivent.com Phone: (612) 844-4272 | Stacy Eckes-Borys Senior Media Relations Specialist stacy.eckes-borys@thrivent.com Phone: (920) 628-2445 | ||
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