Salvation Army Launches Tree of Lights Campaigns in Peoria and Pekin With a Combined $2.34 Million Goal
The Salvation Army kicked off this year's Tree of Lights campaigns for Peoria and Pekin at Northwoods Mall in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, announcing a combined fundraising goal of $2.34 million. All money raised stays in the local communities, supporting Salvation Army programs that provide shelter, food and other essential services throughout the year.
The Peoria campaign goal is $2.1 million and the Pekin goal is $240,000. Both drives opened with early totals: Peoria began with $317,000 in donations, about 15 percent of its goal, and Pekin had raised $31,000, about 13 percent of its goal.
At the launch, the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary in Peoria presented a $110,000 donation, raised in part through its annual Hope Has An Army fundraising event. The Birdies for Good group contributed $81,000 from its ninth annual golf outing, and Echelon Peoria, a group of young community leaders, presented $15,000. In Pekin, Jim Wolf of Wolf Financial Advisors contributed $10,000 and an anonymous supporter donated $21,000.
"Our goal this year is all about what it takes to meet the needs of the community," said Stan Cohen, the 2026 Peoria Tree of Lights Christmas Chair. "The Salvation Army provides services every day of the year. We are able to be there for people who are facing hard times because of the generous support of the Peoria area."
Major Heath Sells, Central Illinois Area Commander for the Salvation Army, said the money raised through the annual Tree of Lights Campaign helps people in the community throughout the year, including those who have no place to live or who must choose between paying rent, getting medical care or putting a meal on the table.
The Tree of Lights Campaign began 39 years ago, and since 2005 the Peoria campaign alone has raised more than $34 million. Residents can contribute online through the Peoria and Pekin Virtual Red Kettles.
(Source: The Salvation Army)
Source: The Salvation Army
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 伊利诺伊州Peoria市天际线（资料图）。Robert Haugland 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Peoria, Illinois, skyline (file photo). Photo by Robert Haugland, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
