Salvation Army Austin’s Day of Giving aims to raise $1 million for local families
One day, one community and one million reasons to give hope.
The Salvation Army Austin is marking its sixth annual Day of Giving, bringing Central Texans together to raise critical funds for local families and individuals who need support.
Major Lewis Reckline joined Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to share the impact of the organization’s work and how every donation made during Day of Giving can help someone take a step toward stability.
Major Lewis Reckline joined Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to share the impact of the organization’s work and how every donation made during Day of Giving can help someone take a step toward stability.
While many people may recognize The Salvation Army from its iconic Red Kettle campaign during the holidays, its work in Central Texas continues throughout the year.
In the Travis and Williamson County areas, The Salvation Army operates an Austin shelter for women and children, along with the Rathgeber Center for Families, which provides longer-term support for families working to get back on their feet.
In the Travis and Williamson County areas, The Salvation Army operates an Austin shelter for women and children, along with the Rathgeber Center for Families, which provides longer-term support for families working to get back on their feet.
And that support doesn’t necessarily end when someone leaves the program.
“We stay with them after they leave in case there’s a hiccup,” Reckline said. “We’re there to help stop that as quickly as we can.”
For Reckline, one of the most powerful parts of the work is watching people transform during their time with the organization.
For Reckline, one of the most powerful parts of the work is watching people transform during their time with the organization.
The Salvation Army helped approximately 1,200 people last year, more than 700 of whom were children, according to Reckline.
“You see a complete change in their demeanor from sad to strong,” he said.
“You see a complete change in their demeanor from sad to strong,” he said.
He recalled one former client who went on to become a manager at a major local store and credited the support she received from The Salvation Army staff with helping her reach that point.
This year’s Day of Giving comes with an ambitious goal: raising $1 million to help continue that work.
The Salvation Army helped approximately 1,200 people last year, more than 700 of whom were children, according to Reckline.
Even a relatively small donation can make a tangible difference.
“A $25 gift, that’s a week of shelter in one of our shelters for one person,” Reckline said.
This year’s Day of Giving comes with an ambitious goal: raising $1 million to help continue that work.
The amount of time someone spends in a Salvation Army program depends on their individual circumstances. Some clients may be able to move forward within 60 to 90 days, while families requiring additional assistance can receive longer-term support.
Day of Giving gives the community an opportunity to help make that work possible, whether through a financial contribution or by getting involved as a volunteer.
“If they’re working a program well, we’re not asking them to leave,” Reckline said. “We want to make sure that they’re ready when it’s time for them to go.”
“A $25 gift, that’s a week of shelter in one of our shelters for one person,” Reckline said.
The numbers from last year show just how many Central Texans rely on that support.
The amount of time someone spends in a Salvation Army program depends on their individual circumstances. Some clients may be able to move forward within 60 to 90 days, while families requiring additional assistance can receive longer-term support.
The Salvation Army helped approximately 1,200 people last year, more than 700 of whom were children, according to Reckline.
He said 88% of clients successfully moved into permanent supportive housing.
“When they come in, they don’t know what direction to go in,” Reckline said. “We walk alongside of them, and they figure this out, and we walk with them.”
Day of Giving gives the community an opportunity to help make that work possible, whether through a financial contribution or by getting involved as a volunteer.
Reckline says donations are especially important, but there are also volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The organization’s volunteer coordinator can help connect people with ways to serve, including efforts aimed at making life feel as normal as possible for children staying in its programs.
To support the sixth annual Day of Giving, learn more about volunteer opportunities or find additional information about The Salvation Army’s work in Central Texas, visit SalvationArmyAustin.org.
To support the sixth annual Day of Giving, learn more about volunteer opportunities or find additional information about The Salvation Army’s work in Central Texas, visit SalvationArmyAustin.org.