Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel Raises $1.8 Million at Red Kettle Kick-Off Event
“We work with the City of Redlands side-by-side on the City’s streets to find and help unhoused individuals and families get settled into permanent housing,” said Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel Commander Major Isaias Braga.
Photo Caption: About The Salvation Army in San Bernardino County
REDLANDS, Calif.— The Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel recently held its annual Red Kettle Kickoff Event. It raised more than $1.8 million in grants and donations to support its programs benefiting the Inland Empire’s homeless and underserved people.
The City of Redlands presented a grant for $1,354,487. “We work with the City of Redlands side-by-side on Redlands’ streets to find and help unhoused individuals and families get settled into permanent housing,” said Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel Major Isaias Braga. As a result, 169 people now have a permanent place to live and call home.
PHOTO CAPTION: The City of Redlands presented a check for $1,354,487 in grant funds to the San Bernardino Citadel of The Salvation Army at the Red Kettle Kickoff Event on November 12th. Left to Right: Lt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Divisional Commander; David Rabindranath, Homeless Solutions Manager for the City of Redlands; Mario Saucedo, Redlands Council Member; Major Adelma Braga, and Major Isias Braga, San Bernardino Salvation Army Citadel Commanders.
The City of San Bernardino emerged as the next largest contributor, demonstrating remarkable resolve amid its fiscal challenges. In a spirit of giving, the City proudly presented a generous grant of $319,141.55 to the Salvation Army, presented by its devoted mayor, Helen Tran, City Manager and councilmember-elect Treasure Ortiz, and members of the City’s homeless outreach team.
PHOTO CAPTION: The City of San Bernardino presented a check for $319,141.55 in grant funding to the San Bernardino Citadel of the Salvation Army. This will help fund programs that benefit needy individuals and families in the Inland Empire. Left to right: Southern California Divisional Director of Development and Communication Peter Irwin; Lt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Divisional Commander; Councilmember-elect Treasurer Ortiz; City Manager Rochelle Clayton; Mayor Helen Tran; Assistant to the City Manager Corey Hodges; Housing Division Manager Trina Perez; and Homeless Services Coordinator Gabriela Leon.
Stater Bros. Charities, a valued partner of the Salvation Army, has generously donated $75,000. This contribution will support vital food donation initiatives and sit-down meal programs designed for the region’s underserved and under-resourced communities. Thanks to the Salvation Army’s dedicated efforts, individuals and families now have access to healthy meals that they may not have been able to afford otherwise, bringing hope and nourishment to those in need.
PHOTO CAPTION: Stater Bros. presented a check for $75,000, $15,000 for the San Bernadino Citadel, and $60,000 to other Salvation Army corps to help fund food giveaways and sit-down meals for needy individuals and families in the Inland Empire. From left are Southern California Divisional Director of Development and Communication Peter Irwin, SVA Lt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Tasso Panos, Stater Bros. Markets Store Manager, Loni Maxfield Stater Bros. Charities Coordinator, Nancy Negrette, Stater Bros. Charities Chairman and President and SVA Majors Adelma and Isaias Braga.
Additional donors included the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (last year’s largest donor), SoCalGas, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health Common Spirit, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and Walmart. Moreover, “We are very pleased to announce that individuals and organizations that attended the Red Kettle Kickoff donated an additional $100,000 to the cause,” said Major Braga.
As Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approach, the Salvation Army needs donations of hams, canned food, cash, checks, or gift cards to support its holiday meal programs. Donors can visit the Salvation Army’s Citadel Office at 838 Alta Street, Redlands, CA 92373, or give online at SBCSVA.org.
To register to help ring the bells at a local store location, volunteer to help at the Angel Tree location in the Inland Center Mall, distribute toys and food, or serve sit-down meals, please call (909) 792-6868.
Photo Caption: A slide show of photos taken at the Red Kettle Kickoff
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel
The Salvation Army is an evangelical branch of the Universal Christian Church that offers holistic programs without discrimination to individuals. It serves the cities of Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Mentone, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Yucaipa, as well as Big Bear, Blue Jay, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and other mountain communities.
The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest charitable and service organizations. It has been serving San Bernardino since 1888 and supporting those in need.
