NORTH CENTRAL LEADERS HELP ‘RESCUE CHRISTMAS’
Twin Cities, Lunenburg officials, community raise nearly $12G
The results of the tri-community boot drive challenge are in, and according to Salvation Army Envoy Lynette Valentine, “everyone won.”
Valentine issued the challenge to officials in Fitchburg, Leominster, and Lunenburg to see who could raise the most money for the organization’s annual Fill the Boot campaign.
Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella and Lunenburg Select Board Chair Tom Alonzo, along with dozens of volunteers, collected $11,800 total over the last two weeks.
“I was there with them and got to watch them in the community engaging with people, every car stopping to donate,” Valentine said. “They put every effort into helping us rescue Christmas.”
Valentine said support from community members for the boot drive was palpable, with people honking horns and waving to the volunteers who were collecting. The three officials raised a combined $3,430 during their hourlong shifts.
“A lot took place in one hour,” Valentine said.
In addition, donations of toys, coats, food, and other items that are being distributed this holiday season to those in need have been pouring in.
“Families that used to donate toys are now getting them,” Valentine said of the paradox 2020 has brought. “Since COVID happened the Salvation Army has been out there. We have always done this; it is just at a higher multitude. It’s what we do for our communities.”
This week is the last big push for the Salvation Army’s holiday fundraising efforts. To date $69,000 has been raised towards the $120,000 goal through its Rescue Christmas campaign. Valentine said the Red Kettle Campaign is limited this year but still going strong.
“The kettles are down but the giving is up,” she said.
Valentine said that they are hoping to meet their end goal — but if not, they will find ways to continue to provide for those in the community who need a helping hand, not just at Christmastime but year round.
“We will always take care of people, we just may have less money to work with,” she said. “We will have to do another fundraiser to be able to do what we do. Not meeting our goal does not mean we close our doors; we just do alternatives.”
Valentine said people are welcome to drop off a check at the Salvation Army Corp., 739 Water St., Fitchburg, or leave a donation in the kettle there.
A metal Christmas tree strung with colorful lights that was donated to the organization stands outside the location — each lit up tier represents where they are in their fundraising goal.
“I am hoping to the light the star at the top of the tree,” Valentine said.
According to the Salvation Army officials in Canton, it is struggling to meet its fundraising targets this year as communities nationwide continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
With just a few days remaining in this year’s campaign, donations to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles are currently down by more than 50% statewide compared to last year, according to Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary of The Massachusetts Salvation Army.
Since launching in midSeptember, two months earlier than usual in anticipation of increased needs, the Massachusetts’ Division’s Rescue Christmas Red Kettle Campaign has raised less than half of this year’s goal of $2.5 million, Jugenheimer said.
“This has been a difficult year for so many. Now more than ever we are asking our communities to do whatever they can to help those in need,” Jugenheimer said. “We are doing everything we can to ensure
‘We are very excited to continue to build upon our long-standing partnership with the Leominster Community Action Team. This funding will enable the coalition to ... to prevent the use of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine among youth in Leominster.’
– Cassandra Foley, LUK’s Director of Community Engagement and Support.
every family has a meal and presents under the tree for kids this year. This year has brought unprecedented challenges for all of us, for those who can help ease the burden for others, we are asking you to do so. We thank those who have already donated and helped us make a difference.”
Nationwide, The Salvation Army anticipates as much as a 50% decrease in funds raised through its Rescue Christmas Red Kettles Campaign this year owing to consumers carrying less cash, the closure of many brick-and-mortar retails stores where kettles would traditionally stand,
more online shopping, which means less foot traffic in shopping areas, and increased unemployment and debt, Jugenheimer said.
He said the Salvation Army has made it easier and safer than ever to support its work this year. People can donate in several contactless ways, including: visiting www.RescueChristmas.org to turn your passion into action; sign up to give a sustaining monthly gift of $25 to help The Salvation Army yearround; donate digitally with Apple Pay or Google Pay at any of our iconic Red Kettles around the country; use Amazon Al
exa by saying, “Alexa, donate to The Salvation Army,” then specifying the amount; give any amount by texting “RESCUECHRISTMAS” to 41444; and encourage friends and family to give virtually through options like peer-to-peer fundraising at salvationarmyma. org/rescuechristmas. Or those wishing to donate can send a check to your local Salvation Army Corps or their headquarters at 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021
For more information on donating to the local Salvation Army visit salvationarmyma. org/ treeoflights.