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Salvation Army's Christmas campaign hits halfway mark

Photo

Photo by Bill Olmsted

Clockwise from upper left, Yvonne Koball, Tracy Grassi and Carol Garry sort food items that will be included in the continuation of the Salvation Army's holiday food distribution next week. The various programs run by the Army will aid about 600 families this season.

JANESVILLE — As of Wednesday, the Salvation Army had raised $164,491 to move halfway past its $325,000 Christmas campaign goal.

The organization now stands at 50.6 percent, putting it ahead of last year. In 2011, numbers at this point were $161,346 and 49.6 percent, wrote Maj. Bob Fay in a release.

Money raised through red kettle donations, mail appeal solicitation and walk-in/mail-in donations represent about one-third of the Salvation Army’s total cash budget, he said.

Nearly 700 elementary school-age children from Rock County attended the recent Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Santa’s Workshop, where they were able to Christmas shop for adults in their households. All gifts available came from donations and sold for 25 cents, and volunteers provided supplies and helped wrap each gift.

As of Tuesday, 172 families have received Christmas gifts and food through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs. An additional 250 families have been interviewed and approved to receive gifts and food during the Salvation Army Toy Shop distribution Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 17-19.

Families still in need of Christmas assistance can call The Salvation Army at 608-755-8300 to schedule appointments.

To help meet the holiday demand, The Salvation Army is still in need of:

-- Turkeys and hams to fill Christmas food baskets for families.

-- Volunteer bell ringers, who can sign up for two-hour shifts at one of 20 bell ringing locations throughout Janes-ville by calling 608-757-8300 or visiting janesvilleSA.org.

-- New, unwrapped toys and gifts that can be dropped off at the local Salvation Army headquarters, 514 Sutherland Ave.