While the Salvation Army recognized top volunteers Friday night, it also announced that the organization was short $15,000 in funds collected in 2018.

“It was a good year,” said Maj. Valerie Hazeldine, who serves as a corps officer for the Butler Salvation Army alongside her husband, Daniel. “We didn’t make enough at Christmastime, though.”

To make up for the gap in donations, Hazeldine said, the group will have to increase the number of fundraisers it holds this year.

Bob Peters was named volunteer of the year during the appreciation dinner at the Butler Worship and Service Center on Cunningham Street.

Hazeldine said Peters, who is retired, volunteers Monday through Friday and has been offering assistance for more than seven years with the Salvation Army.

Groups honored were Ibis Tek, which was recognized for raising the most money in the past year, and the Butler AM Rotary, which raised the most money in one day.

Also recognized were some stores where the iconic red kettle and bell ringers were placed including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kings, JCPenney, Boscov’s and Ace Hardware as well as other locales that helped with the Salvation Army’s annual toy drive.