Come join the College For Officers Training for the 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, May 12 at 9AM.  The event will be held near Chicago’s beautiful lakefront at Addison and Lake Shore Drive. The entry fee is $15.00.  All proceeds will benefit The Salvation Army’s international work .

There are first, second, and third place prizes for the top male and female participants in both the walking and running events. Plus, a T-Shirt for the first 50 registrants.

For more information, email Cadet Daryl Mangeri or call 773-524-2224.

To get started today, download and complete the entry form and pledge sheets.

• 5K Fun Run/Walk Entry Form
• 5K Fun Run/Walk Pledge Sheet

Chicagoans, their suburban neighbors and people throughout the broader Northeastern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana region responded to record levels of need this holiday season by donating generously to The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign.  Donations to the Red Kettle campaign totaled $12.1 million.  Red kettles were on streets and in shopping centers from November 19 through December 24, with major gifts and donations to on-line kettles continuing through January 31.

More than $2.6 million was dropped into area red kettles, and an additional $218,000 was donated on-line to virtual red kettles. The remainder was received in the form of major gifts and donations made directly to the campaign or via mail.

“We are so very thankful for the generosity Chicagoans have shown for their neighbors in need this holiday season,” said Lt. Col. Ralph Bukiewicz, Divisional Commander of the Metropolitan Division of The Salvation Army, “The people of our communities reached deep, often making sacrifices themselves, in order to bring joy and practical assistance to many people in need, and these donations will help us serve families, children, seniors, homeless and respond to disaster situations through the remainder of 2012.”

Though the campaign amount of $12.1 million fell short of The Salvation Army’s $13 million fundraising goal, it represented the second highest amount ever raised in the history of the Red Kettle campaign in Chicagoland.

A record number of 36 gold coins and hundreds of other precious coins were dropped in red kettles across a broad geographic area, from Waukegan to Naperville to South Holland – valuing nearly $30,000.

In 2011, gifts to the Red Kettle funds helped The Salvation Army’s Metropolitan Division assist 51,000 disaster victims, serve 1.5 million meals to the hungry, serve 2,900 homeless, provide 18,000 people with counseling and 28,000 care days to low-income children.  The Salvation Army’s Metropolitan Division delivered more than 24,000 food baskets, 149,000 toys and 55,000 articles of clothing during the 2011 Christmas season.

“We hope the spirit of giving continues to reside in people’s’ hearts beyond the holidays,” Bukiewicz said.   “Thanks to the generosity of our many donors, more than 100,000 of our neighbors in need were blessed with meals, toys, coats and clothing that brightened their holidays.”

“And far beyond the Christmas season, The Salvation Army will be there providing emergency assistance to families on the verge of losing their homes, shelter for the homeless, job training for the jobless, rehabilitation for people struggling with drug or alcohol, and so much more.  These are the kinds of long-term support and assistance that the Salvation Army provides to help people transform their lives.”

This Valentine’s Day, Show a Senior You Care
by Supporting the Golden Diners Program

During the month of February, Y103.9 Radio is inviting listeners to “Show a senior you care” by making a donation to The Salvation Army’s Golden Diners program.

A donation of $35 buys a whole week’s worth of hot meals delivered to a low-income, homebound senior; $70 buys two-weeks of meals; and $140 buys hot meals for an entire month.

For every gift of $35 or more, a flower and a personal message from you will be delivered with the meal. Flowers are being donated courtesy of Countryside Flower Shop in Crystal Lake.

“This program is truly a lifeline for many frail elderly who cannot prepare regular meals for themselves,” says Golden Diner’s program director major Ken Nicolai.  “Poverty and isolation increase their risk of malnutrition, which can lead to life-threatening health problems.  Many low-income seniors skip meals to cover the cost of bills, prescriptions and household expenses.”

Each year, more than 4,000 seniors in Kane and McHenry counties are served by the program.  Golden Diners delivers more than 1,000 meals every day.  Homebound seniors receive a friendly visit and a hot, nutritious meal delivered by The Salvation Army.  The visit also serves as a daily wellness check.  Low-income seniors who are able to travel can enjoy a chance to socialize over a hot, nutritious meal at one of 10 Golden Diner locations for congregant.   Meals are free for low-income seniors who qualify.  Others are encouraged to make a suggested donation of $3.50, about half of the cost for the meal.  All eligible seniors can receive a meal, regardless of their ability to contribute.

Months of delayed state payments, combined with decreases in federal funding in recent years, has put increased pressure on the Golden Diners program to meet the needs of a growing population of seniors.   State funding makes up about 45 percent of the necessary funds for Golden Diners.

The program is increasingly dependent on public donations to survive.  Funding is also provided by local townships and the United Way.

“It’s important to remember that not all seniors have family living nearby who can care for them, or who can afford preparing and delivering regular meals while struggling to meet their own household expenses,” Nicolai says.  “These could be our parents, our grandparents or even ourselves one day.  We owe it to the seniors in our community to care enough to make sure their basic needs are met and that they see a friendly face at least once a day.”

Show a Senior You Care this Valentine’s Day.  Click here to join Y103.9 in supporting the Golden Diners program or call 630-232-6689.

Visit the Golden Diners website to learn more information.

With just one more day left in the Red Kettle Campaign, we are in the home stretch and just 7% away from our campaign goal.  That means generous donors from Chicagoland, Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana have given more than $12 million toward the Red Kettle Campaign goal of $13 million.  This represents the second highest amount ever received here in the Metropolitan Division, the highest being last year, in which a record $12.8 million was raised.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and the trust the public continues to place in The Salvation Army.  We are humbled by this outpouring of support, and now, more than ever, are acutely aware of our promise to do the most good for all who are in need.

Help reach our 2012 fundraising goal. Click here to donate today.

Nationally, The Salvation Army has raised $147 million through the Red Kettle campaign, a new record.  While this reflects an increase of 3.4% over previous years, most Salvation Army locations continue to experience record need.  This represents a 3.4 percent increase from 2010, highlighting the support of American donors who gave generously despite a continued slow economy.

The Salvation Army receives nearly 70 percent of its annual donations during the Red Kettle Campaign, and these funds are used throughout the entire year by the Metropolitan Division to provide emergency and social services.

These funds are even more critical as the demand for our services continues to grow, while The Salvation Army and other social service agencies sustain drastic cuts in funding from traditional government sources for programs and services.

“The needs of families, children and people in need don’t end after Christmastime,” said Lt. Col. Ralph Bukiewicz, commander of the Metropolitan Division of The Salvation Army. “It’s the programs and services provided by The Salvation Army all year long – such as food, shelter, crisis assistance, child care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, job training – that not only help families meet their most fundamental needs but also help them turn their lives around.  A gift to the Red Kettle Campaign can make a long-term impact and help families pull through the toughest times.”