The Salvation Army Western PA Division Must Raise Over $975,000 In The Next 7 Days In Order To Reach Its Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Goal

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The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

Dec 17, 2014, 07:15 ET

CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With only seven fundraising days remaining, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign is $975,974.33 behind its $2,487,000 goal. "We are depending on the generosity of the last-minute shoppers and those who will read this and want to help," said Major William H. Bode, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander. "We have faith in the kind hearts of Western Pennsylvanians who care about their neighbors in need."

Allegheny County is short of its $577,000 goal by $232,183. Goals are based on each of the facility's individual budgets. Of 39 Salvation Army facilities, 14 are at or below 50% of their campaign goal with only one week left to achieve their respective goals. These include: Aliquippa; Bradford; Clearfield; Corry; Dubois; Kiski Valley; Meadville; New Castle; New Kensington; Pittsburgh's Temple and Westside Worship and Service Centers; Ridgway; Sharon/Mercer; and Uniontown. It is important to remember that money raised within each community remains there to support its own residents. Major Elvie Carter, Commanding Officer of The New Kensington Salvation Army, along with other officers in locations with similar situations, is concerned but hopeful. "We just want people to realize the amount of good we do for those in need, not only around the holidays, but all year long. We've been seeing an increased need for services, particularly for youth programs, and pray that we can count on the community to help us continue to meet these growing needs," said Major Carter. 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. 2014 final campaign totals will not be known or reported until the second week in January 2015.

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 wpa.salvationarmy.org, twitter.com/SalArmyPGH or facebook.com/SalvationArmyWesternPA. 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