Salvation Army Looking for a Few Good Volunteers -- Red Kettle Campaign Needs You

November 5, 2009

CARNEGIE, Pa., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Although Christmas is nearly two months away, The Salvation Army has been busily preparing. Now is the time to sign up and make a difference in your community. With its humble beginnings in 1891 as a dockside soup pot, the familiar red kettles have become one of the world's most highly recognized fundraising tools. Nationally, last year, red kettles provided six million needy people with a merrier Christmas.

In The Salvation Army's 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division, the red kettle goal is nearly 2.5 million dollars. In Allegheny County the bar is set at almost $800,000. "It is important for the public to understand that the red kettle campaign supports far more than just Christmas," said Major Robert Reel, the organization's Divisional Commander. Reel explained, "This campaign funds Thanksgiving through the first quarter of the new year. That is why it is so critical that we get as many volunteer commitments as early as possible from businesses, churches, schools, organizations and individuals."

A healthy kettle can raise as much as $450 a day or $15,000 in a single season. The loss of just one site can have devastating effects on a community. "In some instances, we have lost permission to have a kettle stand. In other locations, we don't have enough volunteers," said Reel. "Regardless of the circumstances, our officers have to scramble for an alternative way to compensate for that loss. If we don't, social services can be endangered."

If you are interested in either volunteering at a kettle or providing a site, contact your local Salvation Army. If you are in Allegheny County, contact Special Events Coordinator, Colleen Ley at 412-446-1551. "We have packages where a group can adopt a kettle and for a small fee have personal signage, advertising their business, church or organization," said Ley. She continued, "We have some businesses who keep a kettle in their entrance way and their employees volunteer to man their kettle. It is an easy and rewarding way to get people involved in directly supporting their community."

Families are encouraged to volunteer at a kettle. Major Reel explained, "We welcome parents and kids. It is a wonderful way for children to learn how to give back and it really celebrates the spirit of the holidays in a personal way." Donors may also give online by logging onto www.OnlineRedKettle.org and indicating where their funds should be directed. Income from red kettles stays within the community where it is raised.

Both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 118 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