It’s not surprising, given our residents’ penchant for supporting those less fortunate than themselves, but nevertheless inspiring, that our local Salvation Army was able to exceed its Red Kettle Campaign fundraising goal.

We learned in the Sunday, Feb. 4 edition of the Butler Eagle the Butler Salvation Army had a goal of raising $92,000 in the campaign.

The final tally recorded almost $900 more than that raised by the Butler corps, and a matching grant could bump up that number even higher.

The Red Kettle Campaign, in which volunteers brave the cold during the Christmas shopping season to ring a bell near the familiar collection kettles at various stores, helps fund many of the very worthy programs provided by the Salvation Army year after year.

Maj. Darlene Means said the Butler Corps reached its goal thanks to a series of late donations after Christmas, which increased the campaign coffers by several thousand dollars.

The Butler Corps is part of the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division, which raised a total of $2.4 million during the Red Kettle Campaign.

The funds raised by the Butler Corps will pay for the local Salvation Army’s operations, including programs that feed the hungry and homeless, provide rent and utility assistance to those struggling with those bills, and youth and spiritual programs that are a part of its mission.

Without the Salvation Army, scores of those in Butler who find themselves down on their luck or unable to buy food would go hungry or find themselves without a place to call home.

The Butler Eagle, as always, lauds the Salvation Army for the care it provides without fanfare every day to the less fortunate and at-risk residents.

We encourage readers to donate what they can afford to this miraculous organization, and not just at Red Kettle time.

Hats off to the staff and volunteers at every Salvation Army across the U.S. for providing the vital services they offer, but especially to our own organization right here in Butler.

— PG