Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


The Salvation Army of Livingston County is keeping the faith that the community will step up and help it reach its Christmas Campaign goal to help those most in need.

It’s the final push for the Red Kettle campaign. This year’s goal is $400,000, to help meet increased needs and support year-round programs. To date, only roughly $150,000 has been raised.

Lieutenant Robert Leach said donations are down at the moment and when they’re down as much as they are now, it limits how they can help people. Recently through a partnership with Toys for Tots, Leach says they were able to help 300 families and 720 kids with toys and food for Christmas. They also served 150 families for Thanksgiving.

Leach says they are seeing increased need and people seeking assistance with food, rent, shelter, and utilities – particularly with seniors. He said more elderly people are on the edge of homelessness and they’re seeing things that are really not easy to see happening in the county. Leach said they’re there to help people in their time of need but they can’t do it if they don’t have the funding. He also referenced their Pathway of Hope program, which helps people walk into a life of self-sufficiency so they are not relying on social service agencies and can make it on their own.

Leach stressed that all of the money stays local and supports their work in Livingston County. However, if they don’t meet their goal, then that limits what they can do.

Leach said they’re still looking for bellringers for Friday and Saturday, noting the more people out manning the kettles the better and they could really use some support in any way possible.

While the kettles will be out through Saturday, donations will be accepted through January 31st.

More information is available in the provided link.