Even though Christmas lights have been taken down and Christmas music hasn't been heard on the radio for more than a month, The Salvation Army has just wrapped up its 2016 Red Kettle Campaign.
The campaign, which ended Jan. 31, raised $276,000 - $6,000 above the $270,000 goal.
"It is only because of community-minded members of the public that we were not only able to meet, but even surpass our goal," Salvation Army Lt. Christopher White said. "This means that our programs will be fully funded this year, and we will continue providing both the high quality and quantity of services that we have done in the past."
The 2016 Christmas Campaign was chaired by retired Sheriff Greg Wife and his wife, Evie.
"Evie, myself and the Board of the Jefferson City Salvation Army are very thankful for the generosity shown during the campaign," White said. "Again, the people of the Jefferson City area have shown the depth of their love for their fellow man."
On Christmas Eve, the Army announced it was $43,000 short of the goal, compared to being $25,000 over the goal the previous year.
After an appeal on Christmas Day, a number of people walked into the main Salvation Army office to donate. This included two $5,000 donations, one from an individual and the other from a corporation, which helped close the gap.
Last year, the local organization served more than 40,000 meals, had more than 13,000 people sleep in its homeless shelter on Jefferson Street, and helped 8,400 people through its food pantry.
The final event of The Salvation Army Christmas calendar comes when the traveling award is given to the business that raised the most Countertop Red Kettle money. For the third consecutive year, Dragon Kitchen will receive the award.
This past Christmas season, 15 businesses participated in the fundraising campaign, raising a total of $991.11. Tolson Drug Store, 226 E. High St., ranked second and Central Dairy Co. at 610 Madison St. ranked third in the campaign.