Finding Solutions: Salvation Army looks for more help after Red Kettle Campaign
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Red Kettle Campaign for the Salvation Army is their largest fundraiser, and because of your , they’re able to make a difference by providing assistance to those in need of help.
Although the fundraiser is over, we spoke with the Salvation Army of Aiken, who says it looks for year-round.
They’re finding solutions in how they can assist the increase of residents staying at their emergency shelter.
We all know the sound of the bells ringing during the Christmas season.
The Red Kettle Campaign raises money to a number of services the Salvation Army offers.
Captain Michael Good says they were able to raise $127,000, thanks to you at home.
Finding Solutions: New Goodwill bringing jobs, opportunities to Thomson
You’ll soon be able to Goodwill’s mission at their new store in Thomson, which has already provided more than 20 jobs for people in the area.
“Yearly, the Salvation Army of Aiken serves around 10,000 unduplicated individuals through everything from homelessness prevention services to our emergency food pantry, the character building program for youth as well as our red shield emergency shelter,” said Good.
Good says the shelter serves around 700 people a year.
In 2024, they had a 24% increase in homeless individuals served and are still seeing an uptick now.
“Whether it’s because of an emergency situation that’s happening or the recent cold snaps that we had, we actually had to open up an additional facility just to house individuals who were homeless or did not have heat in their house,” said Good.
He says their family dorms are completely full, and they have twelve children currently staying there, which is a record number.
“We have an overflow room now that’s occupied,” said Good. “We have more children in our facility than we have ever had before. This is on top of our numbers of seniors and those that are disabled and veterans that have increased historically.”
Finding Solutions: Catholic Social Services aims to help more people with thrift store
It’s a place you may have shopped at without even realizing you’re helping others with each purchase or donation.
Good says the need for is great year round.
“The community we are asking them to rally around and the Salvation Army during times like this as we are truly one of the emergency shelters in the area,” he said.
Good spent time at a Salvation Army shelter as a little boy with his family and says the organization changed his life for the better.
“Yes, we have 12 children in the shelter right now, but I believe that those are 12 children who can break the cycle of poverty in their life and will be great one day and just need the of people like the Salvation Army,” said Good.
We’re told the shelter alone costs around $45,00 a month to operate.
If you would like to donate or even volunteer, you can visit this website.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
