Kmart, donors make up for theft from Salvation Army kettle
From staff Reports January 11, 2013 4:12PM
Updated: February 14, 2013 6:47AM
Kmart and two anonymous donors have made good on their promise to match donations up to $1,200 to a Salvation Army Red Kettle at Kmart, 1801 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, on Dec. 21.
The Kmart kettle brought in $1,073.84, bringing the total amount raised, including the match, to $2,147.68.
The match was in response to a kettle theft at the same location Dec. 15, in which the Salvation Army estimates that anywhere from $300 to $400 was in the kettle at the time when a bell ringer was taking a brief break inside the store. Police still are investigating the theft.
“It meant so much that the community had this kind of response to the theft. It showed that they’re not going to stand for theft of any kind and will do whatever it takes to help the Salvation Army support their friends and neighbors in need,” said Lt. Daniel Simmons of the Salvation Army Joliet and Will County Corps Community Center.
“Kmart could have just said, ‘We’re sorry,’ but they decided to show that they support the Salvation Army’s mission and that they personally care about the communities they serve,” he said.
The Salvation Army Joliet Corps’ goal was to raise $250,000 for the 2012-13 Christmas season. As of Jan. 10, donations to the Joliet Corps have surpassed its goal by 3 percent.
