The Austin Salvation Army took down the red kettles Dec. 24 before counting up a Christmas present above and beyond its kettle goal.

Lt. David Amick said the red kettles alone brought in $88,746 this year to surpass the kettle goal of $69,000. While more money needs to come in to reach the overall campaign goal of $170,000, Amick is confident it can happen.

“I think we’re going to make the goal, I really do,” Amick said. “It may come down to the wire, but I think we’re going to make the goal.”

The Salvation Army still has more than a month for mail appeals.

“We have until the end of January for the mail appeal to keep coming in,” he said.

The Salvation Army had kettles at Hy-Vee and Walmart, along with kettles at Shopko, Sterling Main Street, Runnings, MarketPlaceFoods, and Ace Hardware. Money raised through the red kettles benefits the Salvation Arm’s food shelf, rent and utilities, programs and more.

“It makes me feel extremely happy,” Amick said. “I’m content, and my biggest joy is that Austin just keeps on surprising me with the way they give.”

The Salvation Army also received about $3,000 from Hy-Vee in credit. Since the food shelf is currently full and there is no space to store food and Amick knows it will be down later in the year, he worked a deal with Hy-Vee to keep the money on credit so they can get food later. He thanked the community for continuing to give to those in need and still welcomed any donations.

The Salvation Army is aiming high with its $170,000 campaign goal as it moves ahead on its plans to build or relocate its offices and food shelf to a new site. It raised more than $150,000 last year. While the city has discussed acquiring the Salvation Army’s current building at 409 First Ave. NE as part of its flood mitigation efforts, the Salvation Army is looking to a new facility mainly because it needs additional space.