Still in a self-described “Christmas recovery mode” Tuesday, Lewis County Salvation Army Captain Gin Pack reflected on the 2024 season.

Over the past month, the organization raised nearly $84,000 through its annual red kettle campaign — slightly behind its goal of $85,000, though comfortably ahead of its 2023 total — while ensuring 764 kids in Lewis County had something under the tree when they woke up on Christmas morning, more than the organization has “historically done.”

“That just means that we have the flexibility as we look toward the future and look at what the economy looks like, and that just gives us the opportunity to meet the increasing needs,” Pack said of the organization’s fundraising efforts, noting the Salvation Army has seen increased demand in recent years. “It’s really encouraging to be able to be in a position where we can be responsive to that.”

The funds, Pack said, allow the organization to respond to community needs as they arise and “when our doors need to be open, they can be open. When our lights need to be on, they can be on.”

The successful Red Kettle campaign comes after the organization sounded alarms throughout the region, with the Northwest seeing a 30% decline in donations through early December. As of Dec. 5, the Red Kettle campaign had raised a total of $19,382.31 in Centralia.

Pack credited the Chehalis Police Department, Centralia Police Department, volunteers, bellringers, the Centralia Rotary Club, the Twin Cities Rotary Club and the Salvation Army of Lewis County’s advisory board, among others, with aiding in the fundraising efforts.

Stationed outside the Centralia and Chehalis Safeways, the city’s police departments raised a combined $4,000 through the annual Battle of the Badges competition.

With bragging rights on the line, the friendly rivalry pitted the two departments against each other to see who could raise the most.

After winning the inaugural competition in 2023, Centralia retained its crown in the rematch, bringing in $2,021.16 to Chehalis’ $1,978.84, a difference of $42.32.

In total, the Salvation Army distributed 10,260 gifts and items ahead of the Christmas holiday, all within two days.

“We are incredibly grateful to the donors and the people and the staff and the volunteers and just anybody who was able to help see that huge undertaking happen,” Pack said. “We’re just incredibly grateful for the people who trusted us with that responsibility and continue to invest in our community and use us as a vehicle to do that.”

The 2024 holiday season may be in the rearview mirror, but with a full docket of events lined up for the new year, planning is already well underway. Founded in Lewis County in 1890, the Salvation Army initially planned to celebrate its 130th anniversary in 2020, though the plans, like many others, were scuttled due to COVID-19. Now, the organization plans to mark its 135th anniversary, though final details are still being ironed out.

“We’re looking at 135 years of hope,” Pack said. “So that’s what we’re celebrating in 2025.”