Salvation Army Launches $70,000 Holiday Fund Drive in Sterling
The campaign opens with a community concert and auction at 1st Presbyterian Church of Sterling on November 14.
By Leila Mansour ·
The Salvation Army serving Whiteside County has launched its 2026 Give with Joy Red Kettle Campaign with a goal of raising $70,000. The organization stated that this funding is necessary to keep food pantries, emergency assistance, and youth programs running through the holiday season and into the coming year. Local officials noted that demand for these services has increased as more residents face financial strain this winter.
The campaign officially begins at 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Sterling. The free public event will feature musical performances from local groups, including Joyful Noise, which is the Salvation Army’s own youth musical group. Attendees can support the cause by participating in a silent auction featuring pottery made by the youth program. The Kiwanis club will also host a raffle offering gift cards from local businesses, and a general offering will be collected from the crowd.
Lt. Jessica Tosh, the officer for The Salvation Army of Sterling-Rock Falls, explained the urgency of the fund drive. “The holidays can be incredibly tough for our neighbors already facing financial and personal hardships,” Tosh said. She added that every donation and every volunteer ringing a bell helps a resident move closer to stability and peace during Christmas and throughout the year.
The Sterling-Rock Falls branch serves approximately 7,000 individuals and families annually. Their services include a food pantry, youth development programs, and emergency financial aid. A key part of their mission is the Pathway to Hope program, which offers individualized support to families working to break cycles of generational poverty. The $70,000 target is designed to ensure these critical services do not have to pause or reduce hours during the busy holiday months.
Residents have several options to contribute to the campaign. Cash, coins, and checks can be dropped into any Red Kettle in the area. Digital donations are accepted via Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo through the Red Kettle system. People can also give one-time or monthly gifts through the website salvationarmyusa.org/il/sterling. Volunteers can sign up to ring bells at RingforGood.org or by calling Tosh at 815-625-1622. Families with young children can also donate gifts through the Angel Tree program for kids up to age 12.
Those in need of assistance can call 217-373-7832 to learn about available services. The Red Kettles will remain out in the community for the duration of the campaign, allowing passersby to contribute at their convenience. The organization emphasized that volunteers are always welcome to join the bell-ringing teams, helping to connect the community directly with the families receiving support.
