Thousands More Families Desperate For Help; Western PA Salvation Army Announces 2011 Christmas Campaign Goals; Three Easy Ways to Give

CARNEGIE, Pa., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With an overall spike in needy families hovering around an average of 20%, The Salvation Army's 28 County Western Pennsylvania Division is facing a serious challenge.  Its 38 Worship and Service Centers, 10 Service Centers and more than 110 Service Units are being tasked with serving even more hurting families with dramatically diminished resources.

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"We have had a tremendous loss in funding and it is going to hit hard this season," said Major William H. Bode, the organization's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander.  "We have decided to increase our overall goals by 20%."  The Christmas Campaign is comprised of three distinct funding streams: red kettles; direct mail appeal; and social media.  "For The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Division, we are setting the red kettle goal is over 3 million dollars.  In Allegheny County the bar is set at more than $960,000," said Bode.  He added, "This year, we hope to generate nearly 3.2 million dollars in mail appeal and more than $150,000 through social media.  That means that in less than two months, we need to raise $6,350,000."

"Donors should know that kettle dollars stay where they give.  Mail appeal money stays where they live. And social media contributions go where the donor chooses," explained Major Bode.  "The Salvation Army is grateful of any gift, no matter the size. And, if a donor's budget is stretched too thinly to give, please contribute your prayers. "

Donors may 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 "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.  The Salvation Army also offers a free update for the iPhone virtual "Bellringer" application by logging onto bellringer.salvationarmyusa.org. The update includes new video content and also enables donations to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign via text message.  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 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.