The Salvation Army is saying a “big thank you” to everyone who supported its 2022 Christmas Kettle and Letter Appeal. The numbers are now official, and The Salvation has, again this year, surpassed its target for the 2022 to 2023 fund-raising period.
Major Brenda Greenidge revealed that having set a target of $750,000, the recent fund-raising campaign raised $849,000, exceeding the target by $99,000.
“With apologies for the delay, we are saying a big thank you to all of our contributors at home and abroad, particularly our generous corporate partners, who have made a commitment to ensuring we leave no one in need. The Salvation Army is incredibly proud and extremely grateful to be working alongside these trusted organisations as we bring about a transformational change in communities right around Barbados,” Major Greenidge said.
The Salvation Army head also reserved special thanks for the Organisation’s Advisory Board, noting: “We are especially grateful to the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board, led by Chairman Paul Bernstein, for their guidance and commitment to the work we do.”
“As a result of such generosity and kindness, and the commitment and hard work of our wonderful volunteers, we were able to support over 4,800 families with grocery hampers and food vouchers, who would have received little or
nothing for Christmas, and nine institutions were given hygienic supplies.”
“On their behalf, we would like to say a very big thank you to all who supported us and so enabled us to support them. As leader of the Salvation Army in Barbados, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your continued support. Whether you are an enthusiastic volunteer or a generous donor, together, we can make a difference,” Major Greenidge noted.
In his comments, Board Chairman Paul Bernstein said he was sincerely grateful for the overwhelming response by Barbadians, especially given the concern that the Salvation Army hostel would remain a “home” for many of those in need.
“It’s extremely difficult. We have a hostel with about 20 rooms. It was opened in 2008 to house persons for between three to six months – on just a temporary basis. Invariably, some people have nowhere to go, and we cannot put them out. We even have a few deportees who returned to the island, but have no relatives with whom they can live because their relatives live abroad,” Bernstein said.
The Christmas Fund-Raising Campaign is the Salvation Army’s most vital fund-raiser accounting for nearly 85 per cent of its annual fund-raising totals. The Army depends on this support to fund its year-round programmes.
(PR)
