The Salvation Army announced today that it received funds totaling $87,623.40 from the Western & Southern Financial Fund. The check includes $43,811.70 from visitor donations received this season at the Crib of the Nativity display at Eden Park’s Krohn Conservatory and an equal match from Western & Southern’s charitable foundation.
“This year has been a particularly challenging one for our community as we navigate the pandemic,” said Major Timothy Lyle, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army. “Requests for our services have never been higher. We asked for the community’s assistance in helping us Rescue Christmas, and I’m so pleased to say they answered that call.”
“This year has been a particularly challenging one for our community as we navigate the pandemic,” said Major Timothy Lyle, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army. “Requests for our services have never been higher. We asked for the community’s assistance in helping us Rescue Christmas, and I’m so pleased to say they answered that call.”
Since 1939, Western & Southern has sponsored the nativity display and for many years has matched the monetary gifts donated by those visiting the display. Since 1993, donations from visitors to the Christmas display and Western & Southern’s match have resulted in more than $285,315 donated to The Salvation Army. This year’s donation is the largest in the 27 years that donations have been collected. The Cincinnati community has always been generous, but this year’s donation is nearly 20% higher than the year prior.
The Crib of the Nativity was started by Western & Southern in 1939, where it was presented at Lytle Park, moved to Union Terminal during World War II then eventually moved to Eden Park. It quickly became a popular attraction at Christmastime, as visitors of all ages enjoyed the realistic nativity scene with live animals. Over the years, thousands have visited the display each Christmas season, and it has become a multi-generational tradition for many families who appreciate its simple message to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” This year, nearly 15,000 visitors were able to enjoy the display.
“The Crib of the Nativity display is a time-honored Cincinnati tradition,” said Mario San Marco, senior vice president, Western & Southern Financial Group. “We are honored to partner with The Salvation Army on this and many other initiatives. The donation from the kettle at the Crib this year demonstrates that the Cincinnati community is a caring one, and we are grateful to be able to match the donations of so many kind-hearted people.”
“Western & Southern has been an amazing partner for The Salvation Army,” Major Lyle added. “They sponsor so many of our initiatives, including the Adopt-a-Family program, gifts for Adopt-a-Senior and of course, the nativity display. Whenever there is a need that is shown to Western & Southern, their leadership along with their amazing employees always find a way to step up and help.”
Gifts like those from Western & Southern provide vital support to the non-profit community. Donations to The Salvation Army of $50 can feed 20 people and $100 can provide shelter and a warm place to sleep for three people. To learn more about programs offered by The Salvation Army and how you can help, go to salvationarmycincinnati.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.
