By Evelyn Seffinga

The Albert Lea Salvation Army on Monday kicked off a $60,000 fundraising campaign aimed at helping the organization continue serving in Freeborn County.

Donations will fund social projects such as emergency disaster relief, children’s programs, Bible studies and various counseling services. The campaign, nicknamed “Keep on Serving,” will run through May 19.

“As the years go on, cost of programming has increased so that we can no longer maintain (our services) without a major type of fundraising of this nature,” said Salvation Army Maj. Louise Delano-Sharpe, corps officer. “It probably will trend like this into the future.”

The Salvation Army leaders cited trends in the cost of living for the increased need for funding. This included the increase in recent administrative costs, heat, electricity and facility maintenance for the charity organization.

“In order to maintain these services, this is about what we have to start bringing in,” associate corps officer Maj. Elsie Cline said. “Last year, we were short probably around this amount of money.”

They said they were optimistic about the campaign and credited the generous community with a well-stocked food pantry and successful annual Christmas and Thanksgiving campaigns. The group expressed their hopefulness to maintain the same services to the community that they currently provide, despite the increased expenses and demand. The charity expects the “Keep on Serving” campaign to become an annual fundraiser in Freeborn County.

“The cost of everything is going up, and so what you were able to budget five years ago just is not going to work anymore,” Delano-Sharpe said.

Contributions will go toward specific weekly ministry programs such as the Centershot Archery instruction, vacation Bible school, character building for children, English as a second language, women of worth and men’s club.

These programs support integration in the community as well as social engagement.

Without the continued support of the community, the organization’s leaders feared their social programs could be downsized or potentially cut completely.

“(The programs) meet the needs of different individuals at different times, so I don’t see one more important than the others,” Delano-Sharpe said.

“You hate to be the one that comes in after the last one is given out. But you just can’t give what you don’t have to give. We did that last year, and we can’t do it anymore.”

Those who wish to follow the progress of the “Keep on Serving” campaign in Freeborn County can stop by the Salvation Army’s thrift store at 416 Bridge Ave., where fundraising thermometers will be posted.

The Salvation Army asked that contributions be dropped off at or mailed to 302 Court St. with the notation “Keep on Serving Campaign” by May 19.