Western PA Salvation Army Red Kettles Still Behind But Doing Better; Christmas Campaign Stats $31,000 Behind 2011

CARNEGIE, Pa., Dec. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's crunch time.  Four days and more than one million dollars to raise.  The Salvation Army's 28 County Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign is slowly winding down.  While 18 of its 38 Worship and Service Centers are ahead of 2011 figures, 20 are trailing behind by a total of more than $31,000.  "We have every confidence that the Lord will pull us through," said Major William H. Bode, The Salvation Army's Western Pennsylvania Divisional Commander. 

There are three ways to support The Salvation Army's Christmas Campaign: red kettles; direct mail appeal; and social media.  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.  The Western Pennsylvania Division's Red Christmas Kettle Campaign goal is slightly more than 2.8 million dollars.  The Allegheny County goal is set at $785,000.  2012 final campaign totals will not be known or reported until the second week of January 2013.

Worship and Service Centers that are trailing behind last year's figures, include: Corry; Erie, Franklin; Greensburg; Huntingdon; Jeannette; Latrobe; McKeesport; Meadville; Monessen; New Kensington/Kiski Valley; Punxsutawney; Sharon/Mercer; Uniontown; Washington; and Pittsburgh's Homewood, Northside, Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon Temple Corps, Steel Valley/Homestead, and Westside

Donors have an abundance of online social media options.  Prove your love and loyalty to the Black and Gold by supporting the "Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland Kettle" via www.salvationarmy-wpa.org.  You may also give online by logging onto www.OnlineRedKettle.org.  Contributors can also 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 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 and kettle sites 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 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 Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division

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