With the holiday season coming to a close, The Salvation Army is reflecting back on a great year.

Every angel was adopted from this year’s Angel Tree program, and there were more volunteers and money collected in this year’s Red Kettle Drive.

“We’re just really grateful for those folks that did sponsor angels and put money in a kettle as well as volunteer to ring bells at the kettles,” said Major Steve Welch with The Salvation Army. “It’s always good when it’s better than the previous year.”

And that it was.

In the Red Kettle Drive, volunteers raised an average of $2.27 an hour more than last year, and nearly $1,000 more total than in 2013.

“We were roughly $850 more than last year in cash,” Welch said. “That’s our biggest fundraiser for the year.”

As a region, the kettle campaign raised more than $40,000. A few remaining kettles from Demopolis haven’t been counted yet. Not counting those, $39,733.25 has been raised between cash and checks.

“The last few kettles from Demopolis haven’t been added in that yet,” Welch said. “It’ll definitely put us over $40,000.”

Welch said he is happy with the turnout and how the drive went in 2014.

“I’m pleased with it,” Welch said. “It’s better to see an improvement rather than a decline. We had more volunteers help out this year, and that’s encouraging as well.”

The funds raised will go toward different things in the community in the coming year, and Welch said he is happy to be giving back.

“It gives me a really great feeling about the community and the community spirit and support of the Salvation Army,” he said. “The funds we raise will help us to do what we need to do throughout the year.”

As for the Angel Tree, Welch said every angel was taken care of, and he is sure they were able to have a great Christmas opening up gifts.

“We make sure they are all taken care of one way or another,” Welch said. “All 592 angels received an average of 11 gifts each. We made sure that they all got at least one toy and clothing.”

Welch said he is proud of the community for stepping up and providing help when it’s needed.

“It’s amazing,” Welch said. “It’s a great community. There’s a lot of people that are supportive, that care about others in the community, and it’s just real satisfying to see that.”