Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign Takes Another Hit; Cold Snap Adds Fuel To The Fire

CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army's 28 County Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign is now trailing behind 2012 figures by more than $312,000.  "Not only is the shorter season a roadblock," said Major William H. Bode, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander, "but the cold snap adversely affects both donors and  volunteers. The cold is hard on our kettle workers and donors are at times less likely to stop and remove gloves to give."

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The Western Pennsylvania Division's 2013 Red Christmas Kettle Campaign goal is $2,729,030.  The Allegheny County goal is set at $687,500. Goals are based on each of the facility's individual budgets. Of 39 Salvation Army facilities, 35 are lagging behind last year's figures.  Those that are in deficit are: Aliquippa; Allegheny Valley; Altoona; Beaver Falls; Braddock; Bradford, Butler; Clearfield; Corry; Dubois; Erie; Greensburg; Greenville; Huntingdon; Indiana; Jeannette; Johnstown; Kiski Valley; Kittanning; Latrobe; McKeesport; Meadville; Monessen; New Castle; Oil City; Punxsutawney; Ridgway;  Rochester;  Washington; and Pittsburgh's Braddock,  Homewood, Northside, Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon Temple Corps, Steel Valley/Homestead, and Westside.  Money raised within a community stays there to support its own residents.

Donors may also give online by logging onto www.OnlineRedKettle.org.  The Salvation Army will also allow donors to support the Christmas Campaign directly through their mobile phone.  Contributors can text the words "GIVEPGH" 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.  The Salvation Army also offers a free update for the iPhone virtual "Bellringer" application by logging onto bellringer.salvationarmyusa.org.  This free app enables friends and supporters of The Salvation Army to share in the tradition of being a Salvation Army bellringer by ringing a virtual bell right on their phone.

Volunteers of all kinds are desperately needed.  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 Captain Kimberly DeLong at 412-446-1548.  Families are encouraged and welcomed to volunteer.  If you cannot financially support the Red Christmas Kettle Campaign or volunteer, please contribute your prayers. 

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865.  Today, it provides critical services in 126 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 The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

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