Because of the financial hardship on so many this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and because of the fewer store locations allowing kettles to be set up, Captain Stephan Wildish knew something had to be done to ensure that the Tallahassee, FL Corps Red Kettle Goal of $215,000 was met.
With the campaign slogan of “Reaching New Heights to #Rescue Christmas”, Captain Wildish pledged to go 40 feet in the air for 24 hours with the goal of raising $24,000.
All of this took place on Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2020, in order to draw awareness of the great need in our community and the opportunity to give back. If he reached the goal before the 24 hour mark, he would get to come down early!
Thanks to United Rental in Tallahassee for their donation of a 40 foot scissor lift, Captain Wildish started his journey at 6:00am on Giving Tuesday to raise much needed funds.
On the coldest day of the season in Tallahassee (33 degrees at 6am), Captain Wildish lifted off. The funds started coming in rapidly! At 3:30 pm that afternoon, $21,000 had been raised! At 4:00pm, an anonymous donor stopped by the lift, called Captain Wildish on his cell phone, and stated that he would match dollar for dollar whatever was raised! By 6:30pm, Captain Wildish had exceeded his goal by raising $24,031.38. With the match, the campaign raised a total of $48,062.76!
Not only did he get to come down early on the coldest day of the season so far, but the Lord tremendously blessed his efforts.
With the support and work of the Tallahassee Corps Advisory Board and staff, media partners, a realty company that donated space, local supporters of our work, and even a local restaurant that donated lunch to the Captain, the goal was met and exceeded.
With the Lord’s blessing, Captain Stephan Wildish truly did “Reach New Heights to #Rescue Christmas” for the Tallahassee Community.
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