The Salvation Army is rolling out a one-day “$20 Challenge” on Dec. 13 that turns every $20 donation into $100 for metro Detroit neighbors in need.
“It’s magic,” said Major Dawn Worthy, the Salvation Army’s Metro Detroit area commander. “We are excited. That’s a great opportunity for the Salvation Army because it means that we can help more people,” she added, during an appearance on Live in the D.
For every $20 bill placed in a Red Kettle on Dec. 13, Pat Milliken Ford will contribute $80, bringing the total to $100. The match applies until midnight. “But it has to be $20,” Worthy said.
All funds raised stay local, Worthy said, serving Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties. Dollars support Christmas assistance with toys and food, emergency shelter, rent and utility help, senior services, legal aid, youth music lessons, budgeting classes and more. “We have seen up to as many as four times as many people come through our shelters [and] needing the applications for Christmas assistance,” Worthy said. “We know that the need is out there and we just need to help.”
The $20 Challenge is part of the Red Kettle Christmas campaign, which aims to raise $7.1 million. “You think of a goal and you think, wow, 7.1 million. But that all represents lives changed,” Worthy said. “We thank Pat Milliken Ford for doing this, for helping us raise awareness and raise funds for this important season when people are needy.”
Online donations are accepted at SAMetroDetroit.org. Text gifts can be made by sending GIFT to 24365.
To watch the segment, click on the video above.