The Salvation Army–Serving Lancaster & Fairfield County Serves Over 2,000 Local Residents During Christmas Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2026
The Salvation Army–Serving Lancaster & Fairfield County Serves Over 2,000 Local Residents During Christmas Season
LANCASTER, OHIO (February 3, 2026) – The Salvation Army–Serving Lancaster & Fairfield County surpassed their annual Christmas Cheer campaign goal by 23% through red kettle donations. The initial goal of $110,000 was set according to previous years’ contributions. Red kettles were launched early November at local Fairfield County stores including Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Kroger and raised a total of $135,755 by Christmas day.
The Christmas Cheer campaign is The Salvation Army’s largest ministry fundraising effort, which ultimately provides critical resources for thousands of families and children year-round in Fairfield County. Local businesses and community members rally around the giving initiatives of the holiday season as volunteer bell ringers and by providing Christmas gifts through the Angel Tree program.
"We’re humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of our community,” said Captains Alex and Kelsey Senak. “This number represents hope, help and real support for our neighbors in Lancaster and Fairfield County. To every volunteer, bell ringer, staff member, civic group, business partner, and friend of The Salvation Army who gave your time, energy and encouragement, thank you. It truly took an army.”
The Christmas Cheer campaign embodied the theme of “Give with Joy,” which accurately summed up the successful outcome of the season. All proceeds will continue to support year-round local ministries and programs that assist the elderly, impoverished, youth, and displaced families and individuals.
To illustrate the numerical impact of the campaign, The Salvation Army calculated the following:
- $135,754 – Amount raised through the Red Kettle Campaign
- 2,031 – Total Persons Served
- 246 – Volunteer Hours
- 8,190 – Meals Provided
- 1,270 – Clothing Items Distributed
- 4,445 – Toys Distributed (Angel Tree & Adopt a Family)
- 264 – Gifts Distributed (Nursing Homes)
The Salvation Army has been serving Lancaster and Fairfield County for 125 years and serves thousands of people a year throughout Fairfield County through a myriad of services. Each year, The Salvation Army–Serving Lancaster & Fairfield County provides more than $1.5 million in service to residents of Fairfield County. For every dollar raised in Fairfield County, 82 cents is put directly back in service to help those in need right here in Fairfield County. For more information, visit salarmy.us/FairfieldCounty.
###
