The Salvation Army Lebanon Corps rang in the new year by announcing it raised more than $106,000 through its annual Red Kettle campaign, along with the winners of the campaign’s Battle of the Bells competition.
The annual Red Kettle campaign acts as the Salvation Army Lebanon Corps’ main fundraiser, with the organization exceeding Lt. Marlon and Ivonne Rodriguez’s initial fundraising goal of $95,000 by more than $20,000.
The money raised through the yearly fundraiser stays in Lebanon County, with it being put toward services and programs within the county for those in need.
“This is just one demonstration of how the funds keep love going beyond Christmas and how blessed we are to live in a community that opens their hearts and wallets to people in need,” stated Lt. Ivonne Rodriguez in a release.
The annual Battle of the Bells competition sparks competitiveness between the volunteer groups within the county to raise the most money during the holiday season.
The Salvation Army Lebanon Corps awarded the community organization/group bell-ringing trophy to Team Chaundy; the financial institution bell-ringing trophy to Jonestown Bank and Trust; the religious organization bell-ringing trophy to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; the youth organization bell-ringing trophy to Northern Lebanon High School Cross Country Team; and the Lebanon Valley College bell-ringing trophy to LVC Men’s Lacrosse Team.
Other organizations that helped raise money through this year’s campaign included the American Heart Association, Bubba’s Bears, Church of the Good Shepherd, Friedens Lutheran Church, Fulton Bank, Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club, Jonestown Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of Lebanon, Lebanon County Realtor Association, Lebanon County Young Republicans, Lebanon Federal Credit Union, Lebanon Rotary Club, Lebanon Salvation Army Advisory Board, Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club, Make It Rein (Deer), Mary Gate of Heaven, Mt. Aetna Bible Church, Northern Lebanon Rotary, Northwest Bank, Palmyra First United Methodist Church, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Unity of Palmyra, and Zentz Family.
Lt. Marlon Rodriguez stated that the Salvation Army Lebanon Corps “is very grateful to the many individuals, organizations, and groups who made this year’s fundraising campaign successful,” including those who participated virtually.
Other initiatives by the organization include the Angel Tree program, which helps children in need “experience the joy of Christmas morning,” as well as the Senior Food Box distribution, which attempts to alleviate hunger for the county’s elderly population.
Visit the Salvation Army Lebanon Corps website to learn more, donate, or get involved.
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