Ricker’s, am/pm match kettle donations

It takes a special kind of CEO to be willing to sacrifice a little pride while challenging his employees to do something good for their neighbors. Jay Ricker is that kind of CEO.

The Salvation Army has been fortunate to partner with Jay Ricker (CEO Ricker Oil, am/pm convenience stores) and his am/pm stores at BP stations across Central Indiana. Leading up to red kettle season, Ricker inspires his employees to talk up donations for the kettles in hopes to become the location to collect the most cash and coins for their neighbors in need. What’s the incentive? How about having your CEO visit your location to pass out free hotdogs to your customers….dressed as a clown!

We joined the celebration at the 52nd and Keystone BP store this afternoon to witness Ricker making good on his promise. Ricker’s team then presented Major Keith Welch and our Development Director, Jeff Stanger with a check for over $13,000 Read more

Bells will be ringing…

Since there are really only two seasons for the Salvation Army, Christmas and NOT Christmas, it seems time to give you a preview of what’s to come for our 2009 Tree of Lights campaign. This is going to be a tough season.

We’re already experiencing a nearly 20% increase in requests for assistance for housing and food and the holiday season hasn’t begun.

 

We spoke with WTHR 13’s Angela Cain on Red Shield Radio this week. We have the priviledge of working with both Angela and with Bob Gregory on the Coats for Kids donation drive each Fall. And we agreed, with more parents struggling to keep and find jobs, the lines will be long at coat distribution day. If you’d like to make sure at least one child has a warm coat this winter, go here to learn more about Coats for Kids. We’re accepting donations now through October 5.

Right after Coats for Kids, we’ll kick off our Christmas season at our Tree of Lights Kick-off right here on the lawn of our headquarters on November 19. Our goal is $3 million this year and we’ll need everyone to dig deep and find it in their hearts and wallets to help those who are struggling to provide shelter and necessities for their families. The next day, we’ll begin the bellringing season at Celebrity Bell Ringing on Monument Circle. This is a perfect time to meet a favorite local celebrity and spare a few coins.

Then Radiothon is just around the corner on December 11-13. Join our 2008/2009 Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner of the Indiana Pacers as we support our programs for men, women and children right here in our city! We have opportunities for  hourly sponsors and volunteers to work in the phone bank. It’s a 55-hour Marathon of Giving, and our biggest fundraising event of the year.

And immediately following Radiothon is our Toy Shop at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This is the week that all the toys from our seasonal toy drive will be distributed to families in need. To learn more about participating as a collection site, a set-up volunteer or as an event day volunteer, go here.

We can’t meet this kind of need without our volunteers. If you’re interested in ringing a bell, hosting a coat or toy collection drive, or participating in Radiothon, there are lots of ways to give of your dollars and your time. Please give Elizabeth a call at 224-1010.

We did it, Indiana!

You’re among the first to know – we’ve exceeded our goal for the Tree of Lights campaign! (and we couldn’t have done it without you!)

In the face of a recession, lay-offs and home foreclosures, Hoosiers dug deep to help those less fortunate than themselves. You sponsored hours and called in your pledges during our WIBC Radiothon and helped raise over $223,000 in three days! You sent your support in response to direct mail and donated online. And no Tree of Lights campaign would be complete without our famous red kettles. Of the more than $2.77 million that’s been raised during this year’s campaign, over $789,000 was collected at the 140 Red Kettle locations throughout central Indiana.  So, thanks to all of you who allowed our bellringers to ring outside your stores and offices. Your participation is so vital to the success of the campaign!

So whether you gave $1 or $1,000, you were part of our own Christmas miracle. Through your support, we will continue to offer shelter and support to the homeless and abuse, a safe place for children through our after-school programs, compassion to our community’s seniors and hope and rehabilitation to the addicted. On behalf of the men, women and children we serve every day of the year, THANK YOU!

Where DOES all the money go?

Last week, Fox 59 ran a story on our fundraising efforts and our Tree of Lights goal of $2.75 million. The article focused on how donations were down in the days before Christmas. And while all of that was good information, the part of the article that jumped out at me wasn’t part of the article at all – it was the comment by a reader who wondered “where does all the money go?”.

Well, that’s a good question. These goals seem like an awful lot of money to the average person tuning into a nightly newscast.  When an organization raises $2.75 million, the community SHOULD wonder (and get an answer to the question) where does the money go? Read more

Blue Christmas

Thanks to the folks at Blue Crew Sports Grill for hosting a Salvation Army night. In addition to hosting a red kettle, owners raffled off Colts-themed kids bicycles just before Christmas.

So, if you’re looking for a place to take in a game or just enjoy some excellent game food (the blackened chicken quesadillas were amazing!), stop by Blue Crew. And make sure to let them know that you appreciate their partnership with The Salvation Army!

With about three weeks left in the Tree of Lights campaign, we’re about 85% of the way to our goal. Want to help make a difference in the lives of those struggling right here in our community? Donate on-line or give Kristen a call at 224-1019 to discuss an event or partnership opportunity.

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