By Nate Gotlieb

The Albert Lea Salvation Army raised nearly $41,000 for its programs and services Dec. 19, a day on which anonymous donors matched donations collected in the red kettles.

The organization hoped to raise $20,000 from its six Freeborn County red kettles that day. It raised $11,922.58 in the kettles, but the donors combined to pledge $29,000.

“We want to say a big, big, big thank you to Albert Lea,” said Maj. Elsie Cline, associate corps officer.

The Salvation Army began its red kettle campaign Nov. 27 to raise money for its programs, which include rental, prescription and utility assistance, community meals, character building and a Bible archery class for children. Cline estimated that between 250 and 300 volunteers have helped ring the bells.

Kettles are at Hy-Vee, Shopko, Northbridge Mall, Walmart and MarketPlace Foods. There are also 41 counter kettles at local businesses, which had raised more than $1,700 as of Wednesday.

Cline thanked the Albert Lea community for its generosity and the businesses for allowing the Salvation Army to install the counter kettles.

The Albert Lea Salvation Army was about $24,000 short of its $105,000 kettle fundraising goal as of Wednesday morning. The overall Christmas goal is $192,000.

“We’re hoping to make that up because of the generosity of the Albert Lea community,” Cline said.

The campaign runs through noon today.