Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania Needs To Raise Over $1.5 Million In Less Than Two Weeks To Meet Division's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Goal

CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While recent history has shown that about 50 to 55 percent of the total amount of money raised during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign is collected during the two weeks just preceding Christmas, there is concern among the leadership of The Western Pennsylvania Division regarding whether or not the goal of $2,812,732 will be met this year.  "With being so far (over $300K) behind as compared to the same time period last year, reaching our goal this year is going to require a big outpouring of support from the community between now and Christmas," said Major Deborah Sedlar, the Western PA Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army. "However, I have faith in the generosity of Western Pennsylvanians. When times are tough for their neighbors, I've witnessed the caring nature and sense of community demonstrated by our area's residents in many situations in the past." 

Literally hundreds of thousands of Western Pennsylvanians are assisted by The Salvation Army each year during times of crisis. The programs and services provided, not only at Christmas but throughout the year, and funded in large part by the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. "When you drop money in a Salvation Army Kettle in your community, that money is used in your community for your neighbors in need," reminded Major Tom Lyle, The Salvation Army's Allegheny County Coordinator. "I'm asking area residents and businesses alike to please give what they can, including their prayers. The Pittsburgh Temple and Steel Valley Salvation Army locations in the Pittsburgh area are furthest behind their goals at less than 23 and 33 percent respectively," he added. Other areas in the division currently at less than 40 percent of their goal include Beaver Falls, Butler, Meadville and Indiana. Needing the most help due to current accounting of less than 30 percent of goal are Bradford, Oil City and Warren.    

If you don't pass by an iconic red kettle, you can give online at:   http://igfn.us/vf/GIVEWPA  or even from your mobile phone by texting: GIVEWPA to 71777 to receive a link to donate any amount of your choosing with a credit card over our secure site. To help even more, individuals, corporations, clubs, service organizations, and even school classrooms are all being encouraged to set-up their own online kettles. For more information on how to set up an online kettle, please contact Divisional Director of Fundraising, Lauren Brant at 412.446.1644 or [email protected]. 

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

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