PEORIA, Ill. – The Salvation Armies of Peoria and Pekin are celebrating successful Tree of Lights campaigns.
The organization announced Monday night that both groups hit their fundraising goals for 2025-26.
Peoria reached its $2 million goal with a total of $2,087,761.73.
The Corps’ Major Heath Sells tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan Show” where that money comes from.
“Most visibly, it’s kettles. You’ll see about $200,000 raised in the kettles, and then businesses and individual donors that support the Salvation Army and the work that we do, will come rally around during that time to make sure that we meet those needs year-round,” Sells says.
The Pekin Salvation Army also reached its goal of $200,000, with a total of $208,229.92.
The Tree of Lights campaign began in November and was completed at the end of January.
The money raised through the campaigns support services provided by the Salvation Army, which Sells says is only made possible through the generous support of the community.
“You never know how that simple act of compassion, whether it’s a dollar given or time spent collecting coats, you never know how that simple act of compassion can change someone’s life. And, not just anywhere, but the community that we live in, where we shop, and where our kids go to school,” Sells says.
Services supported by the Tree of Lights campaign includes youth programs, emergency services, and access to food.
“We are very blessed to be able to help our neighbors who can’t put food on their tables; who have nowhere to lay their head at night; and who can’t make ends meet,” Sells says.
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