Although the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division fell a little shy of its $2.4 million fundraising goal last year, shortfalls in some places were offset by gains elsewhere.

In Westmoreland County, Salvation Army campaigns in four areas fell $20,000 short of their overall $282,000 goal. So while only $57,603 was raised toward an $82,000 goal in New Kensington, Red Kettle volunteers in Monessen surpassed their $62,000 goal by more than $1,000, and Latrobe volunteers raised $74,000, more than $12,000 over their goal.

“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s ongoing support as we work to raise the funds needed to continue to lift up the most vulnerable people in our neighborhoods across the region,” said Maj. Gregory Hartshorn, divisional commander for Western Pennsylvania.

In Allegheny County, volunteers raised just over $523,500, or 92% of their goal.

“The lingering effects of the pandemic, coupled with a shortage of paid and volunteer bell ringers to cover Red Kettle shifts, largely contributed to the shortfall,” Salvation Army officials wrote in their annual report on the campaign.

The Allegheny Valley Corps, based in Brackenridge, was also at 92%, collecting $119,000 of its $130,000 goal, Capt. Alex Senak said.

“We’re happy with that,” he said. “We set a goal. We want to reach it and it’s important for us to reach it. At 92%, we can work with that.”

While falling short in 2021, Senak said his unit surpassed the same goal in 2020, collecting $145,000.

“People have been very generous and supportive of us over the last two years and every year. We don’t take that for granted at all,” he said. “We try to do our best to be good stewards of those finances.

“All this money is going towards programs that help those in need in this community,” he said. “All this money helps us do what we do throughout the year.”

Across the division, several communities — Homewood, Johnstown, McKeesport, New Castle, New Kensington, Punxsutawney and Sharon — experienced a more significant shortfall, raising under 80% of their individual goals.

In addition to the pandemic, bell ringers have had to contend with the rising popularity of online shopping. That challenge has been met through the expansion of the nonprofit’s social media presence.

“Nationally, the digital donations have increased in a major way,” Salvation Army spokesperson Stephanie Rex said.

That opportunity is still available, and donors can know that they are helping their local community.

“You can continue to donate anytime online at Salvation ArmyWPA.org, and your donation will remain directly in your ZIP code, serving your neighbors in need,” Hartshorn said.

The Red Kettle campaign supports families and individuals in need with utility, rent and food assistance; clothing and other basic needs; summer camp programs for youths and seniors; and holiday meals and Christmas gifts for children.

For more, visit Salvation ArmyWPA.org.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick at 724-850-2862, pvarine@triblive.com. Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com

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