The Salvation Army Kroc Center is making an urgent plea for donations for its annual Red Kettle Campaign this holiday season. The Kroc Center announced in a news release it is less than a third of the way to reaching its fundraiser goal with fewer than two weeks left to go.

“Our focus is unmet needs in the community,” said Major Don Gilger, executive director for The Salvation Army Kroc Center, in the release. “There is a significant lack of mental health services for youth in our community, and we are working hard to help address that need by providing mental health services to youth and families who might not otherwise have access to these critical services.”

Deeply discounted mental health services for youth and families is just one of many Community Outreach services that The Kroc Center provides. Other Community Outreach programs include: clothing local youth with warm clothes for the winter; delivering food to local foodbanks; offering weekly holistic wellness support and free access to the center to all community members; providing positive adult role models at local elementary schools on high-disciplinary days; and delivering life-saving water safety and basic swim lessons to regional youth. Every Community Outreach program is funded solely by community donations.

“We simply cannot meet the need throughout the year without financial support from the community,” Gilger said. “We are incredibly blessed to have such generous supporters of our Red Kettle Campaign. This is a tough year for so many in our community and the needs of the citizens we help are far greater this year than in years past. We are in desperate need of additional funds this year, so please consider making a life-changing donation.”

The Kroc Center hopes anyone with the means to donate will consider doing so. There are red kettles located outside of local stores through Dec. 24 and donations can also be made to The Kroc Center’s virtual red kettle online at www.kroccda.org/kettles. 

For information, email Major Gilger at don.gilger@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 208-763-0603.