Eight Days and More Than 1.5 Million Dollars To Go; Western PA Salvation Army Red Kettles Rounding the Bend

CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Christmas is just around the bend and The Salvation Army's 28 County Western Pennsylvania Division needs your help.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MM81995LOGO)

With just eight days to go, its fifty one Centers of Operation and more than 110 Service Units need to raise more than 1.5 million dollars from its familiar Red Kettles.  And, the organization must meet an overall Christmas Campaign goal of more than six million dollars, with three million of that total coming from the kettles.

"We are depending on the generosity of our neighbors," said Major William H. Bode, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander.  "If everyone would put just a little change in a kettle, we could easily meet our goal.  And, if you are struggling financially, we humbly ask that you give us your prayers."  

The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division's Christmas Campaign stems from three distinct funding streams. Red Kettle dollars stay where you give.  Mail appeal money stays where you live.  And, social media contributions go where the need is greatest in Western Pennsylvania.

In order to serve the influx of new needy families, all Salvation Army Red Kettle goals were increased by 20% as compared to 2010. Those communities that are lagging behind last year's figures include: Aliquippa; Altoona; Beaver Falls; Butler; Clearfield; Greensburg; Johnstown; New Kensington; Oil City; Punxsutawney; Rochester; Sharon/Mercer; and Pittsburgh's Braddock, Homewood, Northside, Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon Temple Corps and Westside.  Money raised within that community stays there to support its own residents.

Donors have an abundance of online social media options. You may give online by logging onto www.OnlineRedKettle.org.  Contributors can also text the words "GIVE PGH" to 80888 to make a $10 donation to support the campaign. The gift will appear as a charge on the donor's next mobile phone bill.  Additionally, the KDKA Fred Honsberger Memorial Kettle may be accessed via www.KDKAradio.com.  And, you can even show your love for Pittsburgh – and your disdain for Cleveland by giving to the Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland  Online Kettle, sponsored by 3WS Radio.  Log onto www.3WSradio.com or give through The Salvation Army at www.OnlineRedKettle.org/Pittsburgh.  

Volunteers of all kinds are desperately needed, especially in the Mt. Lebanon/Brookline area. For more information in either volunteering at a kettle or providing a site, contact your local Salvation Army.  If you are in Allegheny County, contact Jocelyn Karsesnick at 412-446-1637. Families are encouraged and welcomed to volunteer.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 124 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 onto www.salvationarmy-wpa.org.  The Salvation Army … Doing the most good . . . for the most people . . . in the most need.

SOURCE Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

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