News Releases
| << Back |
Can the Fox Cities community break its own national record?
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation announces $125,000 challenge
| APPLETON, Wis. (Nov. 17, 2009) – Despite tough economic times, can the Fox Cities community break its own national record for single-day donations to The Salvation Army? That’s the challenge on Dec. 4 thanks to another match day pledge announced today by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation.
The Foundation will match donations dollar for dollar up to $125,000 at the 50 Fox Cities Salvation Army red kettles on Friday, Dec. 4. This pledge sets the stage for an even bigger challenge to the community - repeating the results from the historic match day one year ago. That’s when community contributions on the 2008 Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day totaled $372,423– nearly triple the $125,000 goal. When combined with the Thrivent Financial Foundation match, a grand total of $497,423 was generated – a new national record for single-day giving for The Salvation Army. “We are so blessed here in the Fox Cities to have the continued support of the Thrivent Financial Foundation and this kettle match day to help us to meet the needs of the underserved,” said Major Jose Tamayo, corps officer for The Salvation Army - Fox Cities. “These are extraordinary times, and the extraordinary support of our community from the volunteers and donors will help us to meet the emergency needs of the increasing numbers of families at risk right here the Valley.” Match day tradition nears $1 million mark This is the sixth year the Thrivent Financial Foundation is offering this challenge to the local community to benefit The Salvation Army-Fox Cities. Thanks to community response each year, what started out as a $25,000 match grant back in 2004 has increased to $125,000 in 2008 and 2009. According to The Salvation Army, it is also the largest continuous community match day in the United States. To date, Thrivent Financial Foundation match days have generated $906,131. After this year’s effort, the total is likely to surpass the $1 million mark. “This community has always amazed us with its generosity and we are confident individuals who have the means to contribute will again help make this a record-setting community effort,” said Jon Stellmacher, senior vice president and chief of staff and administration of Thrivent Financial. “Our neighbors need us more than at any time in the past five years as the demand for Salvation Army services continues to increase. The match day is an ideal time to contribute as your dollar will go further due to the Thrivent match.” Employee, community volunteers Bell ringers play an instrumental role in the success of the Thrivent Financial Foundation Red Kettle Match Day as donations are much greater when a volunteer is present. The 2008 match day marked another record – the first time all shifts at all Fox Cities red kettle locations were manned with a volunteer. Thrivent Financial employees will be among those volunteering to ring bells in the community and at area Thrivent Financial facilities on Dec. 4. This will also be the fourth 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. Thrivent Financial employee Marcia Pethke is among those who have lifted the holiday and giving spirits by getting creative at the kettles. She encourages others to sign up to volunteer and test their own creativity by entertaining contributors at the kettle. “You will witness first hand the amazing generosity of the Fox Cities community and have fun at the same time,” said Marcia Pethke, Thrivent Financial employee. “Let’s make sure all 50 kettles across the Fox Cities have a bell ringer for every shift on Dec. 4.” How to donate, ring bells There are several ways to donate to The Salvation Army – Fox Cities red kettles - either in person at one of 50 sites across the Fox Cities, online at www.safoxcities.org or by calling 920-734-3324. To become a bell-ringer, you can sign up for a kettle site at www.safoxcities.org or call the bell-ringer coordinator at 920-955-1225. Those interested can also host a virtual kettle online to encourage friends and family to contribute. 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. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army - Fox Cities has been located in Appleton since 1917. They serve the Fox Valley area in Neenah, Menasha, Kimberly, Kaukauna, Combined Locks, Larsen, Grand Chute, Little Chute, Appleton and Darboy. The Salvation Army - Fox Cites is not a participating United Way agency. For more information visit us on the web at www.safoxcities.org. 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 not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates 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 creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com. -END- 200904788 |
| Contact Information: | |||
| Brett Weinberg Director, Public Relations brett.weinberg@thrivent.com Phone: (612) 844-4272 | Dave Rustad, APR Senior Media Relations Specialist dave.rustad@thrivent.com Phone: (612) 844-7037 | ||
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
