11-02-2025
Local Salvation Army's announce Tree of Lights Campaign totals
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria and Pekin Salvation Army's, announced the results of their 2024 Tree of Lights Campaign on Monday.
The event was held at the Northwood's Mall and both groups announced their totals and winners of various awards recognizing many people in the community who went above and beyond.
Both had beaten the goals set for the campaign. The Peoria Salvation Army raised over $9,600 more than their goal of $2 million.
Pekin's salvation Army had a lower goal of $168,000, and they beat that by over $20,000 bringing in $189,000.
The funds will help both of these programs to provide food, shelter and emergency assistance for those who are struggling to get by.
Major Heath Sells with the Salvation Army said the Central Illinois community always shows up for the Salvation Army.
'That's what I love about Peoria, that they do care, That there's so many who step in and see a neighbor who needs help and they can trust that the Salvation Army will do the most good with the resources that were given, whether that's time, talent or treasure. And we're responding in a way that gives dignity to people who ask for help. So we're excited that we live in a community that appreciates that, and that is the moral compass that we live by,' said Sells.
Of the awards given out was the Pinnacle of Achievement Award, which was given to the WMBD TV Creative Services and News Team for 'providing an extraordinary service for the Salvation Army and the community as our media partner throughout the year,' the Salvation Army said.
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