The Salvation Army announced today that it received a record-breaking check from Western & Southern Financial Group’s charitable foundation in the amount of $94,509. The check includes $47,254.50 from visitor donations received during the 2021 holiday season at the Crib of the Nativity display at Eden Park’s Krohn Conservatory and an equal match from the Western & Southern Financial Fund.
This year’s donation, which tops the 2020 record donation of $87,623.40, makes it the largest in the 29 years donations collected at the nativity display have been matched. The 2021 donation tops the previous year by nearly 10% and is the result of a record 31,500 visitors to the display, more than double the visitors in 2020.
“We continue to face record-breaking requests for assistance and services,” said Major Timothy Lyle, Divisional Leader of The Salvation Army’s Southwest Ohio Northeast Kentucky Division. “Donations like this from the community through the Crib of the Nativity truly make a big difference in our ability to help needy families in our area all year long.”
“The Crib of the Nativity display is a wonderful, multi-generational tradition,” said John F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern Financial Group. “Cincinnatians gave from the heart in the middle of a pandemic. We are honored to join them in supporting The Salvation Army’s important work to help so many in need.”
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. In 1993, Western & Southern’s foundation began matching the monetary gifts made by those visiting the display. Since then, donations and the match have resulted in more than $332,571 in donations to The Salvation Army.
“Western & Southern continues to be 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. We are so grateful for their help.”
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.
