PEORIA, Ill. – A holiday tradition to help fund services for those in need in central Illinois is underway.
The 38th edition of the Tree of Lights campaign for the Peoria and Pekin Salvation Armies started Monday night.
The campaign funds services provided by the Salvation Army through the year.
This year’s goal for the Peoria Salvation Army is $2 million.
“More than a goal, that’s the need,” said Peoria Salvation Army Major Heath Sells. “To make sure that we continue to meet people who have food insecurities, to make sure that we can keep people in their house by paying rents and utilities, as well as the services we provide for child care and sheltering.”
Peoria’s campaign has already raised $294,000 through three large donations. The donations came from the Women’s Auxiliary, Birdies for Good, and Echelon Peoria.
Pekin’s campaign is also off to a big start, with $35,000 of its $200,000 goal already raised.
Pekin campaign co-chair Matt Deverman says they exceeded last year’s goal, and raised it for 2025 when the need was greater.
“Tazewell County is quite large, and Pekin being a county seat, we see a lot of people coming into town in need of help,” Deverman said.
Sells says every dollar donated to the campaign helps. He also is encouraging those who can to sign up as bell ringers throughout central Illinois.
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