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The Salvation Army is the top recipient of Orange County Register reader program.
By Kevin White
Orange County Register readers recently selected The Salvation Army as their favorite non-profit organization in the newspaper’s “Golden Envelope” voucher program.
The newspaper sent 124,000 subscribers a $100 gift check for free advertising, which they could designate for the non-profit of their choice. The Salvation Army received the most responses, resulting in $281,000 in free advertising space.
“We are humbled that readers of the Register regard us so highly and want to say thank you to each one who submitted a response on our behalf,” said Bruce Freeman, Orange County (Calif.) director of development for the Army.
Following The Salvation Army, the Wounded Warrior Project and the Orange County Rescue Mission also received significant advertising allocations. More than 1,300 nonprofits—including hospitals, community organizations, education, arts and culture, and social service agencies—will benefit from envelopes received on their behalf.
Initiated by Aaron Kushner, the newspaper’s publisher and co-owner, the program was meant to enhance the connection between the paper, its subscribers, and nonprofits within the community. Mailed out in early December, the gift checks gave subscribers until early January to submit nominated recipients, with announcement of the top recipients published on Jan. 28.
After broadcasting the winners, the Register did a follow-up article on The Salvation Army in Orange County, highlighting many of the programs and services the Army offers throughout the county. (See https://tiny.cc/d99jsw.)
“This is a great reminder of our calling and mission to serve those in need, and that our actions do not always go unnoticed,” said Major Ian Robinson, Orange County coordinator. “We are very grateful to the Register for implementing this generous program.”
