by Martin Hobe

The Salvation Army is currently holding their Tree of Lights campaign, a collection of toy giveaways, parties and other social fundraising events.

The campaign helps raise money for the local Salvation Army division. It started Nov. 10 and will last until the end of January.

Local organizations play a key role in the campaign. The Salvation Army and the Marines work together to run Toys for Tots here in Peoria, and the Civic Center holds a large fundraising party for the campaign as well.

Associate Development Director Rich Draeger has worked for the Salvation Army for 11 years doing public relations work and is in charge of the fundraising efforts for the campaign. He also helps run the Tree of Lights campaign, and has worked every campaign since he started at the Salvation Army.

According to Draeger, 20 to 30 percent of the Salvation Army’s budget comes from the Tree of Lights campaign.

The campaign has progressed steadily through the years. Last year, the Salvation Army raised 51 percent more than they had ten years ago.

The money raised from the Tree of Lights campaign will go to all of the Salvation Army services, Draeger said. The emergency men’s homeless shelter, the feeding programs and the other shelters over Peoria all benefit from the campaign.

Volunteer work is a big part of what makes the campaign successful. “We’re very thankful for the generosity of the Peoria area,” Draeger said.

The campaign has already reached about 40 percent of its goal, according to Draeger.

Shelters in Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Decatur and several other central Illinois locations all benefit from the campaign, as well as a shelter eastern Iowa.

If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please contact the Salvation Army at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/heartland, or call (309) 655-7220.