PEORIA, Ill. – $1.7 million — that’s what the Peoria Salvation Army says it needs to get through the first part of next year.
That’s being raised through the annual “Tree of Lights” campaign.
“That’s for all the emergency food and shelter, the child care centers, after-school recreational opportunities,” said Major Heath Sells, Tri-County Salvation Army coordinator. “Everything that the Salvation Army provides here in the Tri-Counties is represented as part of that budget of $1.7 million.”
The Tree of Lights kicked off Monday evening — with donations from three recent fundraisers kicking off the campaign totaling more than $400,000 in donations.
Thirty-four years after he first helped start it, the family of Peoria financial advisor Mike Leali are honorary chairs of the 2021 Peoria Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign.
“Mike really is influential in using his influence and his connections to help communicate to others the Salvation Army story,” said Sells. “He joins me on a number of opportunities to share media and just tell the story of the Salvation Army and how those funds continue to be used to help those in need in our community.”
Sells says he hopes the Leali family’s efforts will help the Tree of Lights hit the $1.7 million goal.
Trees of Lights are now lit at Northwoods Mall and at Keller Station through the end of January. CLICK HERE to find out how you can donate to the Salvation Army.
