Waukesha Salvation Army Exceeds Fundraising Goal by Nearly $30K

announced Thursday that it has raised $669,593.37 during the holiday fundraising season, which is $29,593.37 above the goal of $640,000, according to an e-mail from Major Carol Lemirand.

That means giving was up 6.8 percent compared to the 2010 holiday season and the 2011 Christmas season exceeded its goal by 4.6 percent.

“This amount is $417,466.83 from the bell ringing, $252,126.54 from mail appeal, and other private donations,” Lemirand said in the e-mail. People ask why the success, and we say ,’God knows the work The Salvation Army needs to do, and people want to help.’

“This will allow us to keep the present programs going and begin new programs. In this new year, we have started many youth programs. Funding has caused some after-school programs to scale back but young people need positive activities.”