Allegheny Valley, Braddock, Dubois, Homewood, Indiana, Rochester and Warren Salvation Army Centers Are Struggling
CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One can only speculate the effect the warmer weather has had on contributions to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign thus far this year. On one hand, overall, contributions in comparison to last year are up, so one could argue that perhaps more people are out shopping and donating. Yet The Salvation Army has had a really difficult time finding enough volunteers to man kettles in certain areas, such as the Allegheny Valley, causing a huge decline in contributions. Perhaps this is due to a lapse in holiday spirit caused by the lack of snow or even a chill in the air. "One thing we do know," said Major Deborah Sedlar, Divisional Commander of The Western PA Salvation Army, "is that we have faith in the good people of this region to take care of their neighbors in need. We have seen time and time again that when tragedy strikes, like the recent fire at our Huntingdon location, people rally around us, just as we have always taken care of them."
Salvation Army locations behind last year's totals by between $5,500 and $15,000, and off of this year's goal by between 45 percent and 60 percent are: Homewood, Braddock, Warren, Indiana, Dubois, Rochester, and Allegheny Valley. These areas are in particular need of help to reach their goals in order to meet the needs in their respective communities.
In order to reach the 2015 goal of $2,604,268, another $1,066,575 still needs to be raised. Major Tom Lyle, Allegheny County Coordinator added, "Pittsburghers have been particularly generous over the past week, bringing the Allegheny County totals from being over $14,000 behind last week, to over $6,000 ahead compared to the same period last year for the current week. We pray that this generosity continues with the last-minute shoppers, not only in the Pittsburgh area, but throughout the division, so we can end the campaign on a high note and reach our goals."
People who wish to give who may not be near one of the iconic red kettles are being urged to donate online at www.onlineredkettle.org Those who want to help even more can set up their own Online Red Kettle and ask for donations from their family and friends. Monies will be directed to a Salvation Army location based on the kettle owner's zip code, or to a specific area they choose. Corporations, clubs, service organizations, and school classrooms are all being encouraged to set-up their own online kettles.
Celebrating 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 127 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
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SOURCE The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division
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