News Releases
| << Back |
Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day generates record-breaking results
Nearly $500,000 raised in single day due to community’s generosity
| APPLETON, Wis. (Dec. 10, 2008) – During these tough economic times, the need is increasing. In a community facing a paper mill closing and other layoffs, previous donors are quickly becoming clients of The Salvation Army-Fox Cities. And for an organization that relies heavily on donations from area individuals to fund its client services, it was hard to know if charitable giving would also take a hit this holiday season due to economic conditions.
The answer came on Dec. 5. On this day, the Fox Cities community was challenged to contribute to the Salvation Army-Fox Cities 48 red kettles as each dollar would be doubled by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation up to $125,000. It was a hefty challenge as donations at the area red kettles typically bring in around $10,000 on a good day. But the giving spirit and community generosity shined through as thousands of individuals contributed. As a result, community contributions on Dec. 5 totaled $372,423.26 – nearly triple the $125,000 goal. When combined with the Thrivent Financial Foundation $125,000 match, a grand total of $497,423.26 was generated on the red kettle match day. “I want to thank each and every person who gave so generously. This was a community-wide effort and the result is absolutely amazing,” said Major Jose Tamayo, corps officer of The Salvation Army – Fox Cities. “It’s extraordinary and a testament to the giving spirit of the Fox Cities community. This will go a long way in helping those in need and those whose lives have been negatively impacted by the economy.” “We feel blessed to be part of such a giving community,” said Jon Stellmacher, chief of staff and administration for Thrivent Financial. “We believe folks in the community were motivated by the increased need right now. They want to support their neighbors who need the services of the Salvation Army to provide their family with basic needs such as food or a warm coat. “ \"This one day kettle total will be the target for every command in the country,\" said Major Robert E. Thomson, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army. This is the largest continuous community match day in the United States for The Salvation Army and with this year’s results, it is the largest-ever match day in the nation. This historic challenge continues the Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day tradition that has helped generate more than $900,000 for the Salvation Army in the past five years. • 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. • In 2008, an overwhelming response brought in $372,423.26 from the community. When combined with the Thrivent Financial Foundation $125,000 match, a grand total of $497,423.26 was generated on the Dec. 5 red kettle match day. Value of Volunteers 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. During this match day, volunteers signed up to ring at every kettle site for every two-hour shift from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. This is the first time the Salvation Army-Fox Cities had 100 percent coverage at kettle locations. Thrivent Financial employees, members and financial representative were among those volunteering to ring bells in the community and at area Thrivent Financial facilities on Dec. 5. This was also 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 showcased their talents by singing or playing holiday songs, demonstrating unusual skills or simply dressing up in holiday costumes. This year, Red Kettle Idol groups included a creative variety of holiday entertainment, including a Charlie Brown Christmas group, Christmas rappers, elves and singing angels. This year’s winning Red Kettle Idol group is ‘The Thrivent Family,’ a group of employees who dressed up as the characters of the Addams Family and greeted donors with enthusiasm and holiday spirit. Salvation Army-Fox Cities Christmas fund-raising goal 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 online 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. 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- 200805484 |
Add to Favorites
Email a Friend
Add to Yahoo
Add to Google
Add to Digg
Add to Facebook
Add to Twitter
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Reddit
Add to Newsvine
Add to StumbleUpon
