The Grand Forks Salvation Army still has a ways to go to reach the $240,000 goal set for its annual bell ringing campaign, but Maj. Harold Baugh said 2010 was a "pretty good" year for the local charity.
"We had a really good response this year, so I'm very, very happy with the community response," he said. "We made a lot of people happy at Christmas with food and toys."
Baugh said the Salvation Army's goal for the holiday season was to raise $110,000 from the kettles alone by Christmas Eve -- a goal they shattered by collecting close to $140,000 one nickel, dime or quarter at a time.
The kettle drive also was helped by an anonymous donor last month who left a South African Kurgerrand gold coin worth as much as $1,450 in a kettle at Home of Economy.
Overall, Baugh said they've raised about 80 percent of the $240,000 goal for the campaign. The Salvation Army is still accepting donations through Jan. 15 for the holiday season fundraising drive.
ADVERTISEMENT
Baugh said people can mail their donations or bring them to the Grand Forks Salvation Army office at 1600 University Ave.
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com .
