The Pike County Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign reached its 2015 goal of $35,000 and that’s good news.

The not-as-good news is that the total for the annual fundraising campaign will fall short of the last year’s total of $42,000, said Kim May, director of the local Salvation Army Service Center in Troy.

“We are so appreciative of those who have given so generously,” May said. “The money that was donated to the Red Kettle Campaign will go a long way in meeting the needs of our friends and neighbors right here in our service area. We will be a little short of what we had for our programs last year but the money we received is much needed and much appreciated.”

May said Pike County has always been supportive of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, which is the organization’s largest fundraiser.

“I think people realize the importance of the programs we offer and that the money they give goes to meets needs in our own community,” she said.

May said the need is always great and that hopes are always that the giving each year will be more than the year before.

“I’m not sure about this year,” she said. “Usually, especially on the weekends, we’ll have to empty the kettles because they get so heavy. This year, we didn’t have to empty the kettles one time.”

May said the weather could have had a lot to do with the giving and, perhaps, concern with the economy and rising prices at the markets.

“The weather was warm and it seemed like people didn’t get into the spirit of Christmas as much,” she said. “People gave but more change than bills. And, money’s not going as far this year. But the reasons that giving was down are not all that important. What is important is that people did give and continue to support the Salvation Army.

“We, at the Pike County Salvation Army, thank everyone who gave and everyone who rang bells for us. They have done something good for others. We wish the best for everyone at Christmastime and all the time.”